 | POWERGEN CUP Blues: (24) 37: Tries: Morgan, J Robinson, Sowden-Taylor, N Robinson. Cons: N Robinson 4. Pens: N Robinson 3. DG: xx. Saracens: (10) 20: Tries: Sorrell, Cairns. Cons: Jackson 2. Pen: Jackson 2. Att: 8,212 |
Cardiff Blues celebrated the signing of Jonah Lomu by running Saracens ragged in a thrilling Powergen Cup encounter. The All Blacks wing legend will arrive in November and on this evidence will enjoy his time at the Arms Park.
Blues fly-half Nicky Robinson claimed 22 points, including one of four Welsh tries that also earned a bonus point.
Saracens survived a torrid first period to move within a score, claiming tries through Matt Cairns and Kevin Sorrell, but indiscipline undid the good work.
The Blues seemed inspired by the Lomu news from the kick-off and it took some fierce Saracens defence to keep the Welsh out on three occasions.
Just when the Londoners thought they had lifted the siege they were caught by a sucker-punch, as Blues wing Craig Morgan intercepted a pass to race away under the posts.
Saracens were undone once again soon after as the Blues turned ball over and launched a swift counter-attack from their own 22.
Craig Quinnell had all watchers rubbing their eyes in disbelief, as the heavyweight lock romped up the right wing before flicking a behind-the-back pass to the support inside.
 | We played a pretty good team in Saracens and made them look ordinary |
Jamie Robinson was the recipient and the centre raced 60 metres to give brother Nicky his second simple conversion from in front of the posts.
Saracens got off the mark with a Glen Jackson penalty, only to have their defence shredded for the third time in half an hour.
Nicky Robinson outstripped Hugh Vyvyan on the outside break, allowing skipper Rhys Williams a straight path upfield.
The full-back drew the last man and gave flanker Robin Sowden-Taylor the easy task of flopping under the posts for another seven-pointer.
Sorrell grabbed a try back for Saracens as the Blues defence splintered for a moment, converted by Jackson.
But Robinson's first penalty of the evening gave Blues a handy 24-10 lead at the break.
The Blues fly-half swapped penalties with opposite number Jackson before Quinnell was sin-binned for deliberate offside.
Former All Black flanker Xavier Rush arrived off the bench to make his Blues debut, but couldn't prevent Saracens hooker Cairns from scoring off the back of a rolling maul.
Jackson's conversion drew the English side to within a converted try of their hosts, but all the hard graft was wasted as first Sorrell and then Iain Fullarton earned yellow cards for killing the ball.
Nicky Robinson struck his third penalty of the night and then, after scrum-half Mike Phillips' excellent break, scooted across the whitewash for a deserved try, converting himself.
That was the Cardiff side's fourth try to earn a bonus point and round off a perfect day at the Arms Park.
Blues coach Dai Young:
"I don't think anybody can doubt that we played a pretty good team in Saracens and made them look ordinary.
"We cut out a lot of mistakes that were costing us early in the season and we showed the quality we have got.
"It was a real team effort and the boys have worked hard for it over the last month and they deserve that."
Blues: R. Williams; Czekaj, J. Robinson, L. Thomas, Morgan; N. Robinson, Phillips; Yapp, Goodfield, Evans, Quinnell, Sidoli, Molitika, Sowden-Taylor, A. Powell. Replacements: R. Powell for J. Robinson (75), Nuthall for L. Thomas (40), Johnson for Goodfield (77), M. Jones for Evans (56), D. Jones for Quinnell (74), Rush for Molitika (53), M. Williams for Sowden-Taylor (74).
Saracens: Obi; Scarbrough, Sorrell, Harris, Bailey; Jackson, Raulini; Lloyd, Cairns, Broster, Raiwalui, Fullarton, Randell, Seymour, Vyvyan. Replacements: B. Russell for Obi (75), Powell for Harris (76), Dickens for Raulini (46), Yates for Lloyd (50), Byrne for Cairns (61), Chesney for Raiwalui (50). Not Used: Skirving.
Referee: Phil Fear (WRU).