Dai Young was pleased as Cardiff bounced back with an impressive second half display to claim victory over Glasgow.
The Blue and Blacks were hunting their first victory over the Scottish outfit since 2016 but, in an encounter which regularly produces thrilling entertainment, the Arms Park were not left disappointed.
And Danny Wilson’s side raced to a 21-8 lead after half hour, with three quickfire tries. However, a comeback inspired by Jarrod Evans, Willis Halaholo and Theo Cabango saw Cardiff complete a sensational comeback as the Arms Park crowd came alive.
Young was delighted with his side’s reaction after the break as the Blue and Blacks showed their character to claim a momentous victory.
“It was a real game of two halves, but we were very good in the second half, but probably equally poor in the first,” explained the director of rugby.
“We only had something like 28 per cent possession in the first half and couldn’t win our line-outs.
“We ended up defending for most of the period and when you give a team of that physicality ball-after-ball, things will be tough for you.
“We struggled to stick in there in the first half and going into half time that was the message.
“But the positive was, despite the possession, that we’d been down there twice and scored.
“I felt we could tidy up, run with more intent, our carriers could give us more penetration and win races to the breakdown. If we could get some speed of ball then we could cause them problems and that was pretty much what we had in the second half.
“It wasn’t about what I changed, it was the players who recognised it themselves. We got much better carries, were on the front foot and were playing with quick ball.
“No matter how good your defence is if you’re scrambling and getting people behind you.
“One thing we’ve spoken about is sticking in games, because you won’t play well for 80 minutes and you will lose possession.
“But you need confidence to stick in there and if you can keep it to one score then who knows.”
While centre Halaholo was officially named the player of the match, he was amongst a handful of players who shined on a stunning spring afternoon in the capital.
Young praised his players, including youngster Theo Cabango, who grabbed a brace on his home United Rugby Championship debut.
“We started getting our x factor players in the game. Jarrod did well to get Willis into the game and we know what good feet he’s got, but he needs that front foot ball to operate,” added the former Wales international.
“We gave him that and he caused them lots of problems. Theo also showed what a quality player he’ll be in the future.
“The second try he scored had a real injection of pace to get him over. I was really pleased.
“The big thing is that Theo has something you can’t coach and that’s genuine pace.
“We’ve seen when we played against Stormers that that’s one area we’re lacking. We haven’t got four or five in the backline who could score from our own half.
“He’s one that could genuinely, when put into space, he can do something special.
“He’s obviously still learning the game but he’s a bit of a sponge as well. He’s enthusiastic and wants to learn.
“But he’s a genuine player that when he has the ball you’re on the edge of your seat. These are the type of players that we all want to watch.”