Posted by Away games in the United Rugby Championship can often feel like a chore. From battling the traffic of the home fans to travel from Pontcanna to Llanelli, hopping around various European city destinations, spending a fortnight in South Africa or, perhaps worst of all, going to Newport.
Saturday was absolutely no different for Cardiff as the Blue & Blacks made the long and arduous journey from the mighty Arms Park to the attached Principality Stadium. 200 yards of tortuous travelling for what is hopefully, at least to a good chunk of regular Welsh professional club rugby supporters, the last ever Judgement Day event.
While some pre-covid editions of the day out at the stadium attracted excellent attendance figures, and with it some much-needed revenue, there has never been any lasting success in terms of raising the overall quality of the teams or attracting fans on a week-in, week-out basis. Of course that is usually because the next home game is a good five months away.
Having hauled all the way down Westgate Street, Matt Sherratt’s men were met with the remains of the Ospreys. Battered and beaten up after back-to-back games against the Scarlets and then a bruising encounter against Lyon last weekend, the likes of Adam Beard, Rhys Davies, Justin Tipuric and Morgan Morris were consigned to the stands as their teammates took the field.
Cardiff, on the other hand, had the freshness of two weeks without rugby in their legs and the chip on their shoulder of the club having gone into administration. Take nothing away from the Blue & Blacks, the players could easily have downed tools after the off-field turmoil, but Jockey hasn’t built a culture where that is even considered, backed up by the tight-knit playing group.
Instead they turned up ready for a battle. That crept over the ill-discipline line early on as Teddy Williams was yellow carded for a high tackle and Keiran Williams took advantage to open the scoring for the home visitors, but for the rest of the first half it was all the away hosts as an Alex Mann brace and a smart Gabriel Hamer-Webb finish created a 7-22 lead.
At that point it should have become a comfortable win for Sherratt’s side, especially when Morgan Morse was yellow carded after multiple Ospreys infringements and Taulupe Faletau thought he had secured an opening period bonus point, but the ill-discipline line was crossed again as Mann was pinged for a croc roll and the life seemed to seep out of the Blue & Blacks.
The third quarter of the game was purely a slog. Mark Jones’ team huffed and puffed but were clearly struggling for energy and bogged down by a blunt and unimaginative attack. Cardiff’s defence was stoic but the game management left a lot to be desired as retaining possession proved difficult and too many soft penalties were given away in the middle of the pitch.
Mann was again at the centre of proceedings as an all-action display that included the two well-finished tries, the most tackles of anyone on the field with 21, a lineout steal and a turnover, was darkened slightly for a yellow card received after an unnecessary late shot on Reuben Morgan-Williams. The edge that the flanker brings is very welcome, but not stepping over it is something that will come with experience.
It is the game management and discipline that prevented this being a more routine win which will need to be addressed ahead of Munster’s visit to the Arms Park on Friday night. At least a win, preferably a bonus point win, is required for the Blue & Blacks to make the URC play-offs, but that will be tough against an Irish opposition who will properly punish errors.
In the end the scoreline at Judgement Day slightly flattered Cardiff, although it was reward for the attitude and effort shown despite the shortcomings in certain areas. A penalty try underlined the maul dominance enjoyed over the Ospreys for a second time in a season, while Gabriel Hamer-Webb’s hat-trick score was a moment to enjoy for a popular winger, as well as for Teddy Williams’ outrageous offload and Thomas Young’s smart little kick.
A superb defensive performance, four tries, the win and the URC’s Welsh Hwbcap being lifted made it a successful afternoon for the capital club after a turbulent two weeks. A statement that, while off-the-field things are in a state of flux, the rugby department continues the rebuild after the summer of 2023.
Looking ahead though and there will need to be a step up in level when Munster arrive for the last home game of the season. Supporters can play our part too in packing out CAP and showing the players and staff that we remain behind them after the last few weeks, and driving us on to the league play-offs.
It promises to be a special night at the Arms Park. #TrustTheProcess
Cardiff Rugby Life 