Blues thump Ospreys

Blues 43-6 Ospreys

MATCH SUMMARY Blues (21) 43 Tries: J Robinson (2), Abdul (4) Con: N Robinson (5) Pens: N Robinson Ospreys (6) 6 Pens: Henson (2) Att: 3,500

An outstanding display by fly-half Nicky Robinson and four tries by left wing Lee Abdul brought the Blues maximum points and took them into the top half of the Celtic League.

The home pack provided plenty of possession for their inventive backs, although the Ospreys contributed fully to a thoroughly entertaining game.

The Blues wasted no time in showing their eagerness to throw the ball about, crossing for a try with a match barely a minute old.

Full-back Craig Morgan cut into the line and Abdul finished off, with Nicky Robinson converting.

The fly-half was in sparkling form, his breaks creating further tries before the break for big brother Jamie Robinson and Abdul, Nicky Robinson adding the extra points each time.

A third try came despite Blues being down to 14 men after flanker Rob Appleyard was yellow-carded for a late tackle on visiting full-back Gavin Henson.

Henson kicked two penalties, but missed another two as the Ospreys struggled to get into the game.

Blues, looking for a bonus point, ignored a kickable penalty only to waste the chance with a knock-on.

Next time around they were more pragmatic, with Nicky Robinson slotting over the kick.

The Ospreys, who had been trying to play open rugby, gained more and more possession as the game wore on.

But the home defence kept them at bay and it was the home side who broke free to finish with a flurry of tries.

When Nick Walne was held up on the right the ball was spread left and Abdul side-stepped over for his third touchdown.

But the former youth team winger still had not finished. He was on hand to round off an opening created by Jamie Robinson, who then raced under the posts for the Blues' sixth try to end the game in style.

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Blues: Craig Morgan; Nick Walne, Jamie Robinson, Matt Allen, Lee Abdul; Nick Robinson, Ryan Powell; John Yapp, Gareth Williams, Darren Crompton, Craig Quinnell, Andy Moore (capt), Rob Appleyard, Dan Baugh, Nathan Thomas.
Replacements: Kenneth Fourie, Andrew Lewis, James Goode, Jim Brownrigg, James Malpas, Andrew Moore, Leon Andrews.

Ospreys: Henson; Seveali'i, Storey, Gibbs, Tiueti; Connor, A Williams; James, B Williams, Millward, Newman, Tait, Bater, Tandy, Bonner-Evans.
Replacements: Morris, Durston, R Wells, Thomas, C Wells, Griffiths, Bateman.

Referee: Olan Trevor (Ireland)

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