Cardiff Blues missed out on a second consecutive Anglo-Welsh LV=Cup final by losing 29-18 to Gloucester.
The fourth meeting in two years between the sides wasn’t the most fluid game of rugby, but after an even first half, Gloucester stepped up in the second period with a hat-trick for winger James Simpson-Daniel.
Former Blues fly-half Nicky Robinson enjoyed success over his former club, contributing nine points in a win that was revenge for Cardiff’s thumping victory in the final of this competition last year.
Robinson actually missed the first opportunity to open the scoring before landing a penalty to give Gloucester the lead. The visitors enjoyed all the early territory but failed to add any further points and conceded a penalty from Cardiff’s first meaningful attack which allowed Ben Blair to level the scores.
Cardiff found possession difficult to come by and what ball they did keep they were forced to kick away by a resolute Gloucester defence.
But Cardiff found a way in behind their opponents to fashion the first chance of the game. Gareth Cooper jinked into a gap and fed Tom James who chipped into the in-goal area; Simpson-Daniel couldn’t gather and allowed James to steal in for what he thought was a try but the video referee was unconvinced of the grounding.
Cardiff were not be denied shortly after however, as the Gloucester defence was breeched again in midfield. Casey Laulala raced clear and beautifully side-stepped Freddie Burns at full-back to score under the posts.
The half had been turned on its head and Gloucester were the ones nervously kicking away possession as the half went on. Ceri Sweeney nearly created a second Cardiff try with a break but he was held up five metres short and Gloucester turned the ball over to relive the pressure.
Gloucester then snatched themselves level on the stroke of half time as Sweeney tried to run the ball from inside his own half and his long pass was well read and intercepted by Burns who ran in under the posts.
And that interception try threw momentum back in Gloucester’s favour as the westcountry side dominated the second period. Robinson missed another penalty before an excellent rolling maul resulted in a penalty close to the Cardiff line and Ben White being sent to the sin-bin.
Gloucester backed themselves and opted for the scrum against seven men. Cardiff held up the Gloucester drive but the visitors worked through the phases and eventually space opened up for Simpson-Daniel to claim his first try.
Cardiff, however, responded brightly and built some pressure. They created an excellent chance to score, but with an overlap available Faao Filise tried to bundle his own way to the try-line; Gloucester regrouped and slowed down the play, conceding a penalty which Blair kicked to narrow the deficit. But it was a golden opportunity for a try that Cardiff should have taken.
And the home side paid for that missed opportunity as Gloucester took full control of the contest. They forced a turnover in midfield and the industrious Akapusi Qera darted into the Cardiff half and fed Simpson-Daniel who again finished well for his second try.
And his hat-trick was completed when a delightful cross-field kick from the excellent Burns was weighted perfectly for the Gloucester winger to sprint onto to touchdown and confirm Gloucester’s place in the LV=Cup final.
There was still time for a Cardiff consolation score. Poor handling from Gloucester created the chance for Sweeney to collect and race into the corner, providing some cheer on a generally disappointing afternoon for the Cardiff Blues.
By Alex Winter
Alex is a journalism student and edits the Gloucestershire cricket blog, The Shire Blog
