Young: I don’t blame players
CARDIFF boss Dai Young insists he doesn’t blame his players for trying to win the game against Harlequins, a decision which saw them suffer a last-gasp defeat in the process.
But he admits it would have been better to go about things a different way during the frantic conclusion to the Champions Cup thriller at the Arms Park.
There were just five seconds left on the clock when Rhys Priestland fielded the ball in his own 22, with the sides tied at 33-33.
The Wales fly-half contender boldly opted to counter, running out of the 22 and feeding Josh Adams, who cut inside as he looked to make ground.
Brought to the deck, the Lions winger was then penalised for holding on and Marcus Smith slotted the stoppagetime kick to earn the English champions a dramatic 36-33 victory and break Cardiff hearts.
Director of rugby Young said: “I can understand a little bit how the players went for it right at the end.
“They probably felt a draw wouldn’t be enough for us.
“A draw is always better than a loss really, but we will back the players on that.
“I don’t blame us for trying to win the game, but probably the best option there would have been to go to the air and see if we can get it back.
“I would have definitely gone to the air there as we’d had a lot of joy getting the ball back from the air.”
Just seconds before conceding the decisive penalty, Cardiff had been attacking at the other end of the field.
Having won a line-out, they went through four phases, taking them up to the 22 in front of posts.
But replacement fly-half Priestland didn’t move into the pocket to try to slot a match-winning drop-goal.
Instead, the hosts moved the ball wide, where it was spilled, enabling Quins to kick upfield and earn the penalty which brought them the spoils.
The hosts had led 33-19 going into the final quarter, having scored five tries, with outstanding wing Owen Lane claiming a brace.
Young said: “We were 19 minutes from time with two scores in front. You like to think you can close those games out.”