Callum Sheedy was proud of the fight Cardiff showed in the final few minutes to hold on to a nerve-racking victory against Emirates Lions at the Arms Park last night.
Cardiff looked on course to sealing the win and had the visitors deep in their own territory with the clock running down.
The Lions were able to win a penalty and mounted one final attack, but the Blue and Black defence stood firm, putting in tackle after tackle, and deep into added time were able to hold up the visitors over the line.
Sheedy admitted Cardiff had made life difficult for themselves in the closing stages, but praised their effort and fight in earning the victory.
“Only we could go from a five metre line out with two minutes to go to defending our line like that,” said Sheedy.
“It was just one of those things and it could have been a really comfortable 90 seconds for us. I think we’re probably a bit unlucky.
“I feel like we’re motoring over the line when we get the maul penalty and then we give away the penalty at the next maul and then somehow we find ourselves fighting for our life on our line.
“It was just great fight from the boys. I think back to Ospreys at home when we did a similar thing and you see how tight the league table is now.
“We’re saving points just by fighting for our lives and it’s am unbelievable effort from the boys.
Sheedy acknowledged that the match was crucial to Cardiff’s chances in reaching the playoffs this season and with the win now secured, it will give the team confidence heading into their match against Benetton next week.
“I think while Jockey was away, we built it up last week. This game either sends us into a playoff fight or sends us scrapping for a last playoff spot.
“Jockey touched on it again before the game that we kind of need to win it. He’s very good at not making it too stressful that it’s like a must win but just keeps subtly dropping it in there.
“We’re not stupid as players as well. We see the league table, we know how tight it is there.
“That four points tonight is huge and it gives us confidence now going into Treviso next week.
With the season coming to its climax, Cardiff still have plenty to play for. They currently sit in fifth place in the BKT United Rugby Championship and with a European knockout game against Connacht to look forward to.
Sheedy says it’s an exciting time of the season and one they should embrace.
“I think I spoke on Monday where we’ve worked so hard for seven months to put ourselves in a position where we’re fighting for something.
“The boys who’ve been here for a few years have said that they haven’t had that feeling for a few years where we’ve got six, seven games to go with the season and we’re fighting in the league, we’re fighting in Europe.
“We’ve all been there as players where we’ve been on the other end where it’s kind of dead rubbers and it’s a bit of dull feeling, whereas the next few weeks are going to be so exciting for us as a group and it’s exactly where we want to be.”
The fly-half praised the young talent coming through the Cardiff ranks, in particular full-back Cam Winnett, and believes the future is bright for the Blue & Blacks, this season and beyond.
“Internally, I don’t think we’re fighting above our weight. If anything, we should be higher in the league because I look around that changing room, there’s so much talent there.
“You look at the young boys coming through, Cam Winnett is just on a different level. How professional he is week in, week out. He’s consistent.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him have a bad game. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him have a bad training session. He’s unbelievable.
“Alex Mann, Efan Daniel, Rhys Barratt. It’s like the boys coming through are just really pushing the senior boys that the standard needs to be high at all times.
“I’m really excited where we can go this season. I’m really excited where we can go as a squad in the next few years. I think we’re in a great place.”
Sheedy has struggled off the tee at times this season, but was perfect on Friday night, kicking from four from four.
“I know I’ve missed kicks this year and trust me, I’m my own biggest critic, but nights like tonight, all those hours where you’re in on a day off kicking and kicking after sessions make these nights happen.
“I’ll miss some kicks again. The more nights I can have like this, the better and it makes those long days, on days off worth it.”