Cardiff Blues Premiership Select's hat-trick hero, Harri Millard, insists there were positives to take from Saturday's defeat to Doncaster Knights at Sardis Road.
The young Blues scored five tries to Doncaster’s six and it was a much improved performance from Justin Burnell’s side, following last week’s 70-12 loss at Castle Park.
Millard’s second half hat-trick helped his side secure a try-scoring bonus point, which registered their first point of the British and Irish Cup campaign.
The centre believes the squad was naturally disappointed with the loss, but believes the experience will carry the youngsters in good stead for the future.
“The boys gave it their all out there and managed to score five tries on the afternoon, which was excellent,” said Millard.
“To come away with a loss after scoring 27 points is disappointing, but it was a big improvement from last week and there are a lot of positives to take from the game.
“It was a close game with only one try separating the sides, but I think their physicality was the difference at the end of the day.
“They carried hard and managed to get over the gainline and when they got into our 22, they took their chances.
“Our gameplan was based on the fast track surface here at Sardis Road. We looked to play an expansive, wide game and that showed as we managed to score some nice tries.
“There’s a lot to take from this game for the young boys out there, but we can’t help be a little bit disappointed because nobody likes losing.
“We thought at the end we could’ve snuck a win at the end, but it wasn’t to be.
“Last week we let the game get away from us too much so it was good to get five tries on the board and make it a relatively close game.
“There were a lot of young boys out there, and Jamie Hill, who came on at scrum half early on, is only 18-years-old so in that respect we did quite well.”
On a personal level, the Cardiff Blues academy member was delighted to secure a hat-trick, which sealed the bonus point for his side.
Millard said: “All the tries came from inside the 22 and during the second half. The second try was a little bit different as it way a drive from close range and there was a nice link-up with Corey Howells for the third.
“Scoring a hat-trick is special for any player, whether that’s football, rugby for example, and it’s nice to get my name on the scoresheet again.”