Posted by There comes a point for every team, whether you’re all-conquering Leinster, in-transition Cardiff or struggling Newcastle that winning by any means necessary is required.
The Blue & Blacks have played some terrific rugby this season; that spell across December and January saw us scoring some brilliant tries and battling for losing bonus points in great games against top opposition, while through February, March and April the defence was suffocating the likes of Glasgow and Munster away from home.
However, despite the quality and bravery within those performances an all-important win continued to elude us. It did not impact the league table, nor make a material difference to the objectives of the campaign, but there remained a feeling that one more win would be a big boost for morale and a reward for the efforts of all at the club.
So when the final whistle went in Durban on Saturday evening and Matt Sherratt’s men emerged as 14-36 victors over the Sharks, I don’t think anyone minded at all that it wasn’t the team’s most vintage performance of 2023/24.
That’s not to say Cardiff played poorly at all; defensively in the first quarter of the game we were superb. Physical as the South African side tested us directly, organised as they tried to push and pull us, and committed in the scramble when they did manufacture a half-break. Josh Adams’ jackal turnover after five minutes typical of a team where everyone mucks in.
Ellis Bevan and Ben Thomas managed the kicking game well, the lineout was rock solid, and the maul good once again. Yes, the red card brought a huge advantage with it, but the Blue & Blacks were clinical in the following 20 minutes to score four tries and secure the bonus point by half-time, an area of the game we have struggled with in recent weeks.
There were still lapses in concentration as the Sharks scored two extremely soft tries, and the attack did not exactly flow in the second half with a reluctance to go through the phases and build pressure in a reminder of how important those tries immediately following the red card were. If we hadn’t have got over the line you get the feeling nervousness would have set in as time dragged on and mistakes would follow.
However, the win was the ultimate aim and worthy recognition of the work put in by the players and staff over the course of the season, who no doubt enjoyed a beer or two in Durban that night before heading home. It is also a tangible something for supporters to cling on to during this season membership renewal window as the rebuild towards competitiveness continues.
It was an evening for all to celebrate, but particularly those players who have either struggled for game time or praise this year. Rory Thornton was a huge part of the pack’s physicality, Shane Lewis-Hughes was a constant lineout, maul and counter-ruck threat, and Willis Halaholo had numerous classy touches on his return to the team.
My man-of-the-match though was Alun Lawrence as the number eight, who returned to the club earlier in the season after the sad demise of Jersey, staked a serious claim for a new contract with an all-action performance. Carrying work rate, defensive physicality and a brilliantly taken try, all before being forced off slightly early.
With Taulupe Faletau’s unfortunate injury record, and Mackenzie Martin likely to be in more and more Cymru squads, having someone like Big Al available will be important for the depth chart.
Beating the Sharks also allows Cardiff to enjoy Judgement Day without any pressure on getting one last big result this season. The losing streak is over, the opposition are big favourites and may still have a chance at making the play-offs by the time kick-off rolls around, and the Blue & Blacks simply have to turn up, play our game and enjoy it.
It’s been a long slog of a season at times, but it’s worth it for that winning feeling again. #TrustTheProcess
Cardiff Rugby Life 