Interesting battle this game, at times anyway. Injury ravaged Cardiff Blues just overcome Harlequins 20 – 6 (trust me, it was closer than the score suggests) in the Heineken Cup at the Leckwith Stadium. But it came at a cost.

The game itself was mostly uninspiring, but it did have a few good moments. The Tom James try early in the 2nd half was a great example, with some very good play by Sam Norton-Knight and Jamie Roberts in particular. Some offloading work this game too. Following on from that the quins started playing better rugby and, but for some handling errors, could and perhaps should have got an equalizing try. But a Deniol Jones kick ahead for Leigh Halfpenny to get to first and score sealed the game.

But for me this was less about the game as a whole and more about certain factors. The game was, at best, average. But what it means for the Cardiff Blues season is more of interest. Let’s look at the positives and negatives.

Cardiff Blues Positives

• The defence held firm. Despite Quins throwing all but the kitchen sink at the Cardiff Blues in the 2nd half the defence held strong, only conceding 6 points.  When compared to the very porous defence they have managed in the Magners League so far this season it has to be a massive bonuses.
• Sam Norton-Knight improved.  Ok not much more than an average game but considering how badly he started the season an average outside half is one that Cardiff Blues fans will be more than happy with, especially as the back up is an even more misfiring Ceri Sweeny.
• Sam Warburton.  Xavier Rush may have got Man of the Match but as far as I was concerned Warburton was the best player on the park.  He was everywhere, tackling, supporting, taking lineouts and more.  In the 2nd half his work at the breakdown was immense.  Only 7 top level games till then but he looked like a well established pro.  The Autumn Internationals may or may not see him ready to play the top Welsh games but it looks like Martyn’s Successor has been properly identified.
• Xavier Rush.  As ever, pure class.
• Tom James.  Wingers master class on his come back Blues game since injury.  Kept Strettle quiet, looked threatening and scored a try, what more do you want from a winger?

Cardiff Blues Negatives

• Injuries.  Adding Tito, Bradley Davies, John Yapp and Gareth Thomas to the injury list makes this a very costly victory.  Tito and Bradley especially as it leaves the Blues without a 2nd row of note.  Deniol Jones may be very good cover but Scott Morgan is far from ideal in my opinion.
• Scrum half.  Richie Rees was again poor, but Cooper has been worse this season so there are no options available for the Cardiff Blues.
• Opposition.  Obviously the Blues have a huge injury list of their own (including world class players like Martyn Williams and Gethin Jenkins) but Quins were shorne of stars themselves, deciding to rest some star names like Monye and Easter in line with their EPS agreement.
• Edge.  The Blues only looked like they had an attacking ‘edge’ in patches.  They need to be developing more substantial threats if they are going to threaten the big teams in the Heineken cup.

All that said though the Blues should be happy with this win.  they have been struggling for form and any sort of cohesion, here they can use it to kick on.  There are a lot of positives to take from this game, let us hope that coupling those positives with the likes of Gethin and Martyn coming back soon will mean they are finally able to get their season up and running properly.

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