Edinburgh 15 Cardiff Blues 38
Friday 2 September 7.30pm Murrayfield Rabo Direct Pro 12
The Blues kicked off their first competitive match of the season and instantly got a penalty that Sweeney converted. However from the restart Edinburgh enjoyed most of the territory with Webber looking dangerous in the centre and Visser also threatened after gathering a neat chip by Goodman. Edinburgh finally got the reward for their pressure with a penalty that Laidlaw converted.
The Blues struck back instantly, spreading the ball right where Mustoe chipped ahead, Gavin Evans gathered well and the ball was recycled from the ruck. Some quick hands saw the ball move right where Martyn Williams gave the try scoring pass to Sam Hobbs to touch down in the corner. Sweeney missed the touchline conversion.
With ideal weather conditions both sides looked to spread the ball and the Blues came close again following good work by Laulala and Evans in the corner. Sweeney and Laidlaw exchanged a pair of penalties just before half time to bring the score to 9 – 14.
Half time Edinburgh 9 Cardiff Blues 14
The Blues enjoyed a period of good territory in the opening minutes of the second half, but frustratingly failed to capitalise with the referee not awarding penalties when Edinburgh pushed up offside. However, it was Edinburgh who nearly scored in the corner with Visser coming close only to be called back for a foot in touch.
Good build up work by Hobbs and Molitika saw the Blues come to within five yards of the Edinburgh try-line but as they looked to spread the ball they fumbled and Edinburgh cleared giving Laidlaw the chance to put Edinburgh ahead, having slotted and earlier attempt.
The Blues struck back from the restart when Edinburgh failed to gather the ball and Pretorius did well to collect and run in. Sweeney slotted the touchline conversion and added another penalty moments later. The Blues further extended their lead when substitute scrum half Lewis Jones went on a mazy run into the Edinburgh twenty two following good work by Czekaj. The ball was recycled for Martyn Williams to again give a try scoring pass to Sam Hobbs to get his second with Sweeney again converting.
With just under ten minutes left Tom James became the joint highest Blues try scorer when he collected a sloppy Edinburgh pass 40 yards out and sprinted in to score under the posts, with Sweeney again converting to secure a bonus point win for the Blues. It was a great win and excellent start for Burnell and Baber in their first competitive match as head coaches.
Cardiff Blues
Tries Hobbs x 2 Pretorius x 1 James x 1
Pen Sweeney x 4
Con Sweeney x 3
D/G
Edinburgh
Tries
Pen Laidlaw x 5
Con
D/G
Cardiff Blues 15. Chris Czekaj 14. Richard Mustoe 13. Casey Laulala (66off) 12. Gavin Evans 11. Tom James 10. Ceri Sweeney 9. Richie Rees (58off)
8. Andries Pertorius 7. Martyn Williams (66off) 6. Michael Paterson 5. Deiniol Jones (58off) 4. James Down (51off) 3. Scott Andrews 2. T Rhys Thomas ( c ) 1. Sam Hobbs (66off)
16. Rhys Williams 17. Nathan Trevett 18. Ryan Harford (66on) 19. Paul Tito (58on) 20. Maama Molitika (51on) 21. Lewis Jones (58on) 22. Gareth Davies 23. Dafydd Hewitt (66on)
Edinburgh 15 Jim Thompson 14 Lee Jones 13 Simon Webster 12 Matt Scott 11 Tim Visser 10 Phil Godman 9 Greig Laidlaw (c)
1 Kyle Traynor 2 Steven Lawrie 3 Lewis Niven 4 Grant Gilchrist 5 Steven Turnbull 6 Sean Cox 7 Roddy Grant 8 David Denton
16 Andrew Kelly 17 Robin Hislop 18 Jack Gilding 19 Esteban Lozada 20 Hamish Watson 21 Chris Leck 22 Gregor Hunter 23 John Houston
Yellow Card: Nathan Trevett
Attendance: