Cardiff Blues 23 Exeter Chiefs 23
Friday 12 November 7.30pm LV=Cup
Last weekend star player Gareth Davies got on the scoreboard within the first two minutes of the evening’s match with a long range penalty, but Ryan Davis soon struck one back for Exeter following a Blues infringement.
Davies struck another for the Blues but Exeter were dominating territory in the opening quarter, and despite Davies slotting another penalty for the home side, Exeter got the first try following a clever lineout. Alcott threw to Sturgess who passed back, allowing the hooker to run in from 40 yards and caught the Blues defence napping. Davis added the conversion.
The Exeter fly half soon stuck another goal following a penalty against the Blues for holding on in the ruck and the men from Devon soon increased their lead. Exeter’s next try came from some good build up play. The ball eventually came out to Davis who put in a clever cross kick, gathered at the second attempt by Sestaret, who ran in to touch down in the right corner again. Davis added the extras and got another penalty off post soon after.
All the Blues could manage in reply were two well taken penalties by outside half Gareth Davies and the young side never came close to threatening the Exeter try line. It was a one sided half that had seen Exeter dominate territory but the Blues were only 11 points behind.
Half time Cardiff Blues 12 Exeter Chiefs 23
The Blues struck back from the restart. Following some good build up play they spread the ball wide through Gareth Davies who dummied then passed on to Dafydd Hewitt who drew his man and put Dan Fish in the corner to score.
The score seemed to lift the Blues who now seemed to be playing with more purpose. However, they still weren’t getting points on the board. They made a number of substitutions but with 10 minutes left they were still trailing by 6 point which meant a tense finish.
The Exeter defence was stubborn but still the Blues battled on, gaining a lot more field position than in the first half. Hewitt and James had half chances and substitute Owen Williams came close, beating James Hanks on the outside and nearly scoring in the corner.
Despite being awarded penalties and scrums 5 yards out the young Blues failed to capitalise against a much heavier and experienced Exeter pack. The Chiefs failed to clear cleanly and the Blues had another chance attack, but James Down was pulled down just short. Bizarrely with another penalty in front of the posts, the Blues opted to kick at goal that still put them 3 points behind with only a few minutes left.
However, there was still time for more Blues attacks and with a last minute penalty young substitute Joseph Griffin was the hero, securing the draw with a well struck kick.
Cardiff Blues 15 Dan Fish 14 Richard Mustoe (68off) 13 Gavin Evans 12 Dafydd Hewitt (Capt) 11 Tom James 10 Gareth Davies (80off) 9 Lloyd Williams (40off)
8 Tom Brown 7 Josh Navidi 6 Luke Hamilton (68off) 5 James Down 4 Bryn Griffiths (72off) 3 Scott Andrews (70off) 2 Gareth Williams (60off) 1 Tom Davies (79off)
16 Kristian Dacey (60on) 17 Ian George (79on) 18 Sam Hobbs (70on) 19 Macauley Cook (72on) 20 Thomas Young (68on) 21 Tom Slater (40off) 22 Joseph Griffin (80on) 23 Owen Williams (68on)
Exeter Chiefs 15 Luke Arscott 14 Nic Sestaret 13 Phil Dollman 12 Jason Shoemark 11 Mark Foster 10 Ryan Davis 9 Haydn Thomas
8 Richard Baxter 7 Andy Miller 6 Tom Johnson 5 James Hanks 4 Tom Hayes (capt) 3 Hoani Tui 2 Simon Alcott 1 Brett Sturgess
16 Chris Whitehead 17 Ben Moon 18 Ignacio Elosu 19 Dave Gannon 20 Dave Ewers 21 Garrick Cowley 22 Igancio Mieres 23 Matt Jess
Cardiff Blues
Tries Fish x 1
Pen G Davies x 5 J Griffin x 1
Con
D/G
Exeter
Tries Alcott x 1 Sestaret x1
Pen R Davis x 3
Con R Davis x 2
D/G
Yellow Card:
Attendance: 7,018