Ospreys v Cardiff Blues 31 December 2007 2.05pm kick off
Liberty Stadium Magners League
Ospreys 22 Cardiff Blues 3
It was a lively start to the match with both sides trying to gain territory in what looked to be an evenly matched contest. Both teams were testing each other and striking long touch finders. The first opportunity to score came when the Blues were awarded a penalty 45 yards out and Blair went for the first points of the day. However, he struck it just wide.
Nigel Owens soon awarded a penalty against Blues for holding on and Hook converted. It wasnt long before he added another when the Blues were penalised for coming in from the side of a ruck.
The Blues did show potential and were attacking well in Ospreys twenty two when ball was spilt and the Swansea men worked all the way up to the half way line before winning a penalty. Hook added his third attempt.
However, the Blues were soon on the scoreboard when they won a penalty for not rolling away and this time Blair converted. It was a tight match and on 30 minutes a yellow card was awarded to Marty Holah and the Blues again worked their way up to the Ospreys twenty two. Again they spilled the ball, giving the chance for the Ospreys to clear before the half time whistle was blown.
HALF TIME OSPREYS 9 CARDIFF BLUES 3
Early in the second half Hook added a Penalty and the Blues were dealt a further blow when Maama Molitka was shown a yellow card for holding on in the ruck. Hook again converted.
The Ospreys were beginning to dominate and worked their way up to the Blues try line. Slick hands amongst the back and forwards looked threatening but the Blues defence seemed solid. However, Shane Williams danced his way through to inches short before Huw Bennett crossed for the try. Hook converted.
Hook kicked a further penalty and the Blues were now 22-3 down and kicked for the corner when they won a penalty. They drove from the line out but were held up inches short and awarded a scrum. The ball was eventually turned over and cleared.
The Blues were trying to run everything to get points on the board. The Ospreys also looked to attack and the Blues were under intense pressure before finally clearing upfield
Deiniol Jones & Gethin Jones shone for the Blues and were outstanding with ball in hand and in defence. But by the end sloppy play , missed kicks and spilt ball cost the Blues dearly.
They did have a chance at the end when Dafydd Hewitt was held just short of the line and Rhys Thomas spilt the ball as he dived over the line
15 Ben Blair 14 Jamie Roberts 13 Jamie Robinson (54off) 12 Tom Shanklin 11 Gareth Williams 10 Nic Macleod (60off) 9 Richie Rees (75off) 8 Xavier Rush (c) (75off) 7 Martyn Williams 6 Maama Molitika (63of) 5 Scott Morgan 4 Deiniol Jones 3 Taufaao Filise (61off) 2 Gareth Williams (75on) 1 Gethin Jenkins 16 Gary Powell (61on)17 T Rhys Thomas (75on) 18 Mark Lewis (75on) 19 Andy Powell (63on) 20 Darren Allinson (75on) 21 Rhys Jones (60on) 22 Dafydd Hewitt (54on)
Attendance
SCORERS:
CARDIFF BLUES OSPREYS
TRIES Bennett x 1
PENALTIES Blair x 1 Hook x 5
CONVERSIONS Hook x 1
DROP GOALS