Williams guides Blues to Sale win

That the game even went ahead was testament to the hard work of fans who helped clear the Cardiff Arms Park pitch of snow early on Saturday morning. 

With the game passing a morning pitch inspection, those fans went on to see the Blues secure their first win of the competition in front of a 7,473 strong crowd.

Two moments of brilliance from scrum half Lloyd Williams saw the Blues cross for tries after half time.

Williams collected his own kick to score and also created Michael Paterson’s try.

Leigh Halfpenny kicked 16 points and although Tommy Taylor and Aston Croall replied for Sale, the Blues deserved to win.

Things had started badly for the home side though. Rhys Patchell put the kick off out on the full and the Blues didn’t touch the ball again before Sale were ahead. The English side kicked to the corner and a powerful surge from their pack saw hooker Taylor power over. Fly half Rob Miller converted for an early 7-0 lead.

Halfpenny soon got the Blues back into things with a simple penalty and despite the cold, muddy conditions, both sides were committed to playing an open game.

Jamie Roberts was at his destructive best, providing the Blues with plenty of go forward ball in front of the watching Rob Howley. The Wales centre made one scintillating break but saw the ball robbed from his possession just as support arrived.

With the Blues dominating territory, Halfpenny narrowed the Sale advantage to a single point with a penalty from the halfway line after seeing an earlier long range effort drift wide.

Despite having little of the ball, Sale were unlucky to then see what would have been their second score disallowed.

On his own try line, Halfpenny’s clearance kick was charged down. Centre Mark Jennings picked up and looked to have grounded cleanly. Referee Peter Fitzgibbon had other ideas though and somewhat surprisingly pulled play back for a knock on.

The Blues were reprieved and although Roberts wasted a clear try scoring opportunity, cutting infield with both Owen Williams and Harry Robinson outside him, Halfpenny’s third penalty saw them lead 9-7 at the break.

If Phil Davies’ side had started the first period badly, the second was no different. Sale prop Croall emerged with the ball after another powerful forward drive took them over the Blues’ line. Miller converted before the home side hit back in style.

The Blues’ first try was international class, scrum half Williams showing the Sale defence a clean pair of heels. With the last defender to beat, Williams collected his own chip to cross under the posts. Halfpenny converted and the Blues led 16-14.

Despite the Blues retaking the lead, Sale dominated the next quarter, throwing wave after wave of attack at the Blues’ line. But although they had plenty of ball, they got little change from the committed and organised Blues.

With a try not forthcoming, Sale opted to take the points but Miller’s penalty effort clipped the top of the left hand upright.

It was all Sale but the Blues weathered the storm and started to push the visitors back, Halfpenny and Patchell kicking for field position effectively.

And from a lineout inside the Sale half, another moment of brilliance from Williams secured the win. The scrum half broke clear down the left hand touchline and offloaded to replacement Paterson.

The metronomic Halfpenny converted and added a fourth penalty with the final kick as the Blues ended their European campaign on a high.