Stunning victory for Blues
TOULOUSE ....................... 15 CARDIFF BLUES ............ 17
CARDIFF Blues recorded a famous victory at the Stade Ernest Wallon to put themselves in the driving seat in their European Challenge Cup group.
It was a stirring display from Danny Wilson’s men who claimed tries in either half from back rowers Nick Williams and Macauley Cook, with fly-half Jarrod Evans landing three crucial kicks. They are now two from two in Pool 2, having claimed a 29-19 bonus point victory over Top 14 leaders Lyon in their opening fixture last weekend.
With back-to-back games against Sale to come in December they are now in poll position to press ahead for a place in the knock-out stages.
This was a well deserved win for the Welsh region who were hugely threatening with ball in hand, with Rey Lee Lo, Jarrod Evans and Matthew Morgan particularly potent.
They were also heroic in defence with excellent linespeed and lastditch scrambling, while their scrummaging was highly impressive. All in all, it was an outstanding effort. Their season is now well and truly up and running. Toulouse opened the scoring through the boot of replacement fly-half Romain Ntamack – the son of former France wing Emile – who had come on early for the injured Doussain. But the Blues were holding up well, with good defensive line speed and an impressive scrum.
It was a penalty from that strong scrum which earned them the attacking position that led to them going in front through a Nick Williams try.
Off a second successive lineout drive, it was the Kiwi No 8 who came up with the ball, with Jarrod Evans adding the conversion and stretching the lead with a subsequent penalty.
Toulouse were looking rattled at that point, but they gradually worked their way back into the game and turned up the heat.
Their breakthrough came after a superb run by full-back Maxime Medard, with Ntamack crossing out on the right and his half-back partner Antoine Dupont adding the conversion to level the scores.
The Blues then lost Alex Cuthbert to the sin bin for a high tackle and Toulouse capitalised on their extra man when scrum-half Antoine Dupont picked up a loose ball and scampered over from 30 metres out after Willis Halaholo’s kick was charged down. Turning round 15-10 down at the break, the visitors started the second half well and were rewarded with a try on 51 minutes following sustained pressure.
Fly-half Evans was the creator, finding a gap to give the pass with flanker Macauley Cook romping over. Evans added the conversion to put the Blues in front and that was the end of the scoring on a famous night.