Blues Dent Ulster Hopes

Cardiff Blues 19 - 15 Ulster Rugby Arms Park   Att: 4,500 Referee: Gregg Davies Saturday 3rd April 2004, 17:30

Ulster's hopes of a Celtic Cup-League double took a dive at the Arms Park last night, despite a superb second-half comeback as the Blues' notorious indiscipline let them down again->

Alan Solomons' men came back from 3-19 down to nearly steal the match at the death, but their inability to defend against the pace of Blues fullback Rhys Williams and the power of centre Tom Shanklin cost them the chance to go three points clear at the top of the table. As it is, the losing bonus point is enough to keep them ahead of the Llanelli Scarlets on points difference. The Blues made the livelier start, but it was the 12th minute before they turned the territory into points against a well-drilled Ulster defence. David Humphreys failed to find touch with a clearing kick and fullback Williams was involved three times in a 70-metre move that ended in a try for Shanklin. Humphreys replied with a dropped goal as Blues kickers Nicky Robinson and Iestyn Harris missed five shots at the posts between them, but the home side had the final say of the half when Williams shrugged his way through several defenders to score a soft try. The Blues were in again in the opening minutes of the second half when Shanklin snared his second after a skilful break from Robinson. Harris' conversion took his side out to a 19-3 lead after 42 minutes, and Andy Ward's men had a mountain to climb. Robinson helped the visitors' cause by earning a 54th-minute yellow card for reckless use of the boot, and hard-working prop Simon Best gave visiting fans some hope with a try from a close-range lineout. Robinson had just returned to the field when his skipper Martyn Williams was carded for a professional foul, and Ulster took immediate advantage when replacement backrower Warren Brosnihan went over the try-line with his first touch of the game. Humphreys came within inches of the winning try in the 77th minute, but the Blues held on for a crucial win as they battle to keep their Heineken Cup spot next season. A minute's silence was held before the kick-off in the memory of John McCall, the Ulster Schools captain who died during a match at the Under-19 World Cup in Durban last week.

Cardiff Blues V Ulster Rugby   P D C T Pos Player Player Pos T C D P   1 FB Rhys Williams 15 Paddy Wallace FB W Nick Walne 14 James Topping W 2 C Tom Shanklin 13 Shane Stewart C 1 C Iestyn Harris 12 Paul Steinmetz C W Jonny Vaughton 11 Tyrone Howe W 1 FH Nick Robinson 10 David Humphreys FH 1 1 SH Ryan Powell 9 Neil Doak SH P John Yapp 1 Simon Best P 1 H T.Rhys Thomas 2 Matt Sexton H P Ben Evans 3 Rod Moore P L Craig Quinnell 4 Gary Longwell L L Jim Brownrigg 5 Matt McCullough L FL Rob Appleyard 6 Neil Best FL FL Martyn Williams 7 Neil McMillan FL 8 Nathan Thomas 8 Andy Ward 8 Replacements - Darren Crompton 16 Paul Shields r - Andrew Lewis 17 Ronan McCormack r - Heino Senekal 18 Rowan Frost r - James Goode 19 Warren Brosnihan rfl 1 r Robin Sowden-Taylor 20 Kieran Campbell - r Andrew Moore 21 Adam Larkin - r Matt Allen 22 Seamus Mallon - Penalty Tries 0 0

All Pictures: ©  http://www.inpho.ie/, Huw Evans Agency,  Graham Stuart