Thomas’ Hat-trick Gives Cardiff The Blues

CARDIFF BLUES 10 CELTIC WARRIORS 26 The Blues’ miserable season continues as a reshuffled side failed to gell in damp conditions at the Arms Park last night. The international-laden Warriors were never in danger of losing the Celtic League tie, and their 16-point victory cements the Bues’ position in the bottom three of the 12-team tournament. The Warriors move from eighth to fifth on the back of a hat-trick of tries to in-form skipper Gareth Thomas. It was 17 minutes before the scorers were troubled, with Thomas bursting on to a flat pass 25 metres out and brushing aside two Blues defenders to score near the posts. The home side hit straight back with a Iestyn Harris penalty goal after the Warriors’ hard-working New Zealand flanker Corey Harris was yellow-carded for a professional foul. The Warriors shrugged off the setback and a heavy penalty count against them, with fly-half Ceri Sweeney speculating ahead and Cardiff centre Matt Allen losing control of the bouncing ball. Sweeney pounced to score against the left-hand upright and his conversion gave the 14-man Warriors a 14-3 lead after 32 minutes. Thomas scored his second immediately after the resumption by brushing off Rhys Williams’ weak tackle and dragging Blues fullback Nick Robinson over the try-line to score in the corner. Warriors scrum-half Gareth Cooper made a nippy break up the middle of the Arms Park to set up his side’s fourth and bonus-point try. Thomas was in the movement twice before reaching out to complete his hat-trick. The Blues finally breached the Warriors’ defence when replacement hooker Rhys Thomas was pushed over in the 75th minute, but it came far too late for the capital club. Cardiff Blues: Try – R Thomas; Pen – I Harris; Con – I Harris. Celtic Warriors: Tries – G Thomas 3, C Sweeney; Cons – C Sweeney 3. Halftime: Warriors 14-3. Blues: N Robinson; R Williams, T Shanklin, M Allen (N Walne 51), C Morgan; I Harris, A Moore; J Yapp (K Fourie 62), G Williams (R Thomas 72), D Crompton (B Evans 48), H Senekal (C Quinnell 48), A Moore, J Brownrigg, N Thomas (D McShane 67), M Williams (capt). Warriors: K Morgan; D James, G Thomas (capt), S Parker, G Wyatt; C Sweeney, G Cooper; C Loader (G Morris 84), M Davies, G Jenkins, B Cockbain, D Jones, M Molitika, R Parkes, C Harris. Yellow card: C Harris (Warriors) Referee: Nigel Williams CARDIFF BLUES 10 CELTIC WARRIORS 26 The Blues’ miserable season continues as a reshuffled side failed to gell in damp conditions at the Arms Park last night. The international-laden Warriors were never in danger of losing the Celtic League tie, and their 16-point victory cements the Bues’ position in the bottom three of the 12-team tournament. The Warriors move from eighth to fifth on the back of a hat-trick of tries to in-form skipper Gareth Thomas. It was 17 minutes before the scorers were troubled, with Thomas bursting on to a flat pass 25 metres out and brushing aside two Blues defenders to score near the posts. The home side hit straight back with a Iestyn Harris penalty goal after the Warriors’ hard-working New Zealand flanker Corey Harris was yellow-carded for a professional foul. The Warriors shrugged off the setback and a heavy penalty count against them, with fly-half Ceri Sweeney speculating ahead and Cardiff centre Matt Allen losing control of the bouncing ball. Sweeney pounced to score against the left-hand upright and his conversion gave the 14-man Warriors a 14-3 lead after 32 minutes. Thomas scored his second immediately after the resumption by brushing off Rhys Williams’ weak tackle and dragging Blues fullback Nick Robinson over the try-line to score in the corner. Warriors scrum-half Gareth Cooper made a nippy break up the middle of the Arms Park to set up his side’s fourth and bonus-point try. Thomas was in the movement twice before reaching out to complete his hat-trick. The Blues finally breached the Warriors’ defence when replacement hooker Rhys Thomas was pushed over in the 75th minute, but it came far too late for the capital club. Cardiff Blues: Try – R Thomas; Pen – I Harris; Con – I Harris. Celtic Warriors: Tries – G Thomas 3, C Sweeney; Cons – C Sweeney 3. Halftime: Warriors 14-3. Blues: N Robinson; R Williams, T Shanklin, M Allen (N Walne 51), C Morgan; I Harris, A Moore; J Yapp (K Fourie 62), G Williams (R Thomas 72), D Crompton (B Evans 48), H Senekal (C Quinnell 48), A Moore, J Brownrigg, N Thomas (D McShane 67), M Williams (capt). Warriors: K Morgan; D James, G Thomas (capt), S Parker, G Wyatt; C Sweeney, G Cooper; C Loader (G Morris 84), M Davies, G Jenkins, B Cockbain, D Jones, M Molitika, R Parkes, C Harris. Yellow card: C Harris (Warriors) Referee: Nigel Williams