Scots recover from poor first half to secure a bonus point in Cardiff

IF BRAVE defeats with a bit of a rearguard action are becoming a Scottish rugby stock in trade, then this game could be added to the list of examples.

After making it look as though the Cardiff Blues would be in for a bit of a stroll in the Arms Park, Glasgow came back into the game showing flickers of the battling spirit that was needed.

It meant that when Scotland sevens player Colin Shaw burst clear deep into injury time, his powerful surge was enough to earn a losing bonus point that could be important in such a tight Magners League table.

Moray Low in the front row was looking to show he could be the answer to Scotland's tighthead problems, and he managed to anchor the scrum solidly as well as making a contribution in the loose.

Ruaridh Jackson had a run at inside centre to see if he could add some creativity to the midfield and took his try well, but on the whole this was a game where the Cardiff backs dominated. Glasgow were also hindered by losing two thirds of their back row in the first quarter, but Johnnie Beattie at No 8 came into the game more in the second half in a reflection of the team performance.

Glasgow started well and actually went ahead through a long-range penalty from Dan Parks, but after that Cardiff showed why they qualified for the Heineken Cup quarter-finals as the No 1 seeds.

Their reward will be a match against Toulouse, where they would love to repeat Glasgow's win against the French aristocrats, but the passing of any hints or tips were left until after the game as the Blues set about dismantling the Glasgow defence.

They were aided by some poor tackling by the Scots, especially for the first try when Blues wing Tom James was outnumbered by defenders but was able to slice through thanks to picking a good line and running with commitment.

That first try was converted by Ben Blair, who had also given the scoring pass, and it was not long before he was lining up another conversion thanks to poor tackling.

This time it was centre Dafydd Hewitt cutting through the midfield after a combination of Mama Molitika and Xavier Rush had spread-eagled the defence.

It was a similar story when fellow centre Jamie Robinson dummied his way over through the middle, again the defence having been sucked in by powerful running on the right.

If Glasgow had lost their early advantage thanks to some sloppiness in clearing their own lines to concede position, by this stage the home side's confidence was up and there was little the visitors could do to establish a foothold in the game.

They did at least add a second Parks penalty, also from 45 yards, and held out in defence on their own line to prevent the bonus point for four tries being registered before half-time.

It turned out that period proved crucial as it gave the Glasgow coaching staff something to work with during the half-time interval, and they did manage to encourage a more forceful attitude from their side after the break.

It brought a reward with two quick tries which put the result back in the melting pot, even if they both owed a fair bit to lax defence by the home side.

First, scrum-half Jason Spice tried a clever flick pass in defence. It went loose and allowed Jackson in the centre a clear run to the line. Then Parks hoisted a high kick between the posts and, with Hefin O'Hare putting pressure on Blair, Bernard Stortoni was able to pounce for the try as the ball went loose.

Having thought they were enjoying a gentle romp to victory, suddenly the Blues found themselves in a game.

They responded with a couple of Ben Blair penalties before Jamie Robinson added his second try to claim the bonus point and extend the lead to more comfortable margins.

It followed a long period of pressure on the Glasgow line before the space finally came over on the left. It went to the television match official to decide, but was never in serious doubt.

The score came over in front of the one Scotland flag at the game, which was draped on the balcony of one of the flats overlooking that corner of the ground. Despite the sparse vocal support, Glasgow battled back yet again with Shaw getting the try to bring a losing bonus point. It was what the second half performance deserved.

Scorers: Cardiff Blues: Tries: James, Hewitt, J Robinson (2). Pens: Blair (2). Cons: Blair (4).

Glasgow: Tries: Jackson, Stortoni, Shaw. Pens: Parks (3). Cons: Parks (2).

Cardiff Blues: B Blair; G Thomas, J Robinson, D Hewitt, T James; C Sweeney, J Spice; J Yapp, G Williams, T Filise, B Davies, P Tito (Capt), M Molitika, R Sowden-Taylor, X Rush. Subs: G Powell for Filise 70, R Johnson, D Jones for Tito 65, B White, R Rees for Spice 59, N Robinson, R Mustoe for G Thomas 70.

Glasgow: B Stortoni; H O'Hare, J M Nunez Piossek, R Jackson, C Shaw; D Parks, M McMillan; J Va'a, D Hall, M Low, D Turner, A Kellock (Capt), S Swindall, K Brown, J Beattie. Subs: F Thomson for Hall 56, E Kalman for Low 70, O Palepoi for Swindall 27, C Forrester for Brown 16, C Gregor for McMillan 80, C Kinloch, P Horne.

Attendance: 7,603.

Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU).