Amos’ acrobatics put Cardiff clear
HALLAM Amos displayed his acrobatic skill early in the second-half to set up Tomos Williams for a try which proved crucial as the Blues made an impressive start to their European campaign.
The Wales wing was pivotal, also scoring a try in the first-half as Cardiff welcomed back six players from the national squad in a much-changed team.
It is a welcome win for Cardiff Blues after a week where regional rugby finances has once-again dominated the headlines, and comes off the back of two defeats in a so-far lackluster run in the PRO14.
Blues head coach John Mulvihill said: “To get a win in the first game is something we can be happy with.
“We’re proud to be giving so many players to the Welsh team but to have them back sets up our week. The energy in training was excellent and we needed the pick-up after the last couple of PRO14 games.
Mulvihill added: “They stood up particularly well in the pack and our tactical game was better with our kicking so all the internationals stepped up to help us get the victory.
“At half-time we made some slight changes, spoke about being a little too lateral as they were picking us off in defence. We tightened up to get over the gain-line, shortened our passing game and played-off nine rather than ten.”
Newcastle, having started their Premiership-return superbly with three wins from three, had an entirely changed first XV from last week’s victory at Wasps. With some playing for the first time this season a sense of rustiness was apparent as Cardiff put them on the back foot from kick-off.
The Welshmen forced the Falcons to concede several penalties at the breakdown in the first 15 minutes while pinning the hosts in their own 22, but could manage only a penalty from Jarrod Evans. Falcons No.10 Joel Hodgson levelled after centre Ben Thomas was penalised for offside.
Evans was then the key. Off the back of a sharp lineout, the fly-half ’s pass brought Falcons out of position allowing centre Garyn Smith to break and freeflowing passes between Sam Moore and Matthew Morgan opened up space for Amos who slid over in the corner.
Falcons immediately replied. Dynamic hooker Jamie Blamire received a delayed pass from Tom Arscott and powered 45 metres up field. He was stopped just short by Evans, but wing George Wacokecoke burrowed over in the next phase.
Falcons full-back Alex Tait sliced past Blues hooker Kristian Dacey on the counter before linking with Blamire who offloaded to Sam Stuart. The scrum-half ’s mazy run saw him dummy past several players to score.
But the Welsh side impressed with 16 unanswered points after the break. An Evans penalty cut the lead to 17-16 and Williams cantered in under the posts after Amos impressively gathered his own high kick and fed his scrum-half in between two Evans penalties.
Both sides had further opportunities but a slippery ball in misty, wet conditions led to several knock-ons and the game became very stop-start.
Hodgson’s penalty finally got some points on the board for Newcastle with five minutes to go to bring Falcons back to within a converted score but Blues grabbed a late penalty try after Mark Wilson was sinbinned for pulling down a maul on his side’s try line.
Falcons coach Dean Richards was critical of the officials: “There were some dubious decisions by the French referee. They’re not quite as accurate as the English at times and look at different areas of the game.
“We had to react to that and the penalties in the first 15 minutes put us under pressure. We didn’t get the win but a lot of boys hadn’t played for a long time and that rustiness showed.”