Pau 34 - 29 Cardiff Blues
Fri 13 December 19:00 Stade du Hameau Att: 3,724 Ref: Thomas Foley European Challenge Cup
80

Full Time

Full-time 34-29 to the hosts.

80

Penalty Goal

Tovey slots the penalty to steal a losing bonus-point. That is two in all.

79

Great line from Ratti who is tackled high!

79

ONE LAST CHANCE. We have a scrum free-kick.

79

Pressure comes to an end as an audacious pass over the head from Thomas drifts forward. Less than a minute left

77

Tovey boots us to the 22 and we go again

77

We have a penalty. A needless late tackle on Ratti, who is now down receiving treatment

76

We're on the attack on the Pau half-way line . Pau contesting for a turnover but we hang on

75

Penalty Goal (Opp.)

Pau slot a penalty and it is 34-26 with five to go

73

They then win a penalty and kick downfield - 31-26

72

We're rumbling towards the line but Pau steal possession and break

69

Conversion

Tovey converts expertly. 31-26 with 10 to go

68

Try

That's a hat-trick from Lane, who collects Morgan's delicate grubber into space, beats one man and then outstrips the cover to score under the sticks. What a score!!

64

Conversion

Tovey converts and it's 31-19. Comeback on

64

Try

A stunning try from Cardiff Blues, who break out of their own half, Amos, Morgan and Williams all involved before Lane finishes in the corner.

64

Try

A stunning try from Cardiff Blues, who break out of their own half, Amos, Morgan and Williams all involved before Lane finishes in the corner.

60

Try

We can't find the GIF but it's a try for Hallam Amos!

58

Lloyd Williams who has not come on is looking for the quick-tap but it ends up with Tovey kicking to the corner

57

We continue to pressure and Pau see another man departing to the bin

54

CBL look to rumble over but more cynical play holds them at bay. Two phases later Ben Thomas knocks on over the line. Looks like he was tackled off the ball first

52

Cardiff Blues attacking well through the phases and it appears as though Belcher has scored in the corner but there was a forward pass. We come back for the penalty. Quick tap and now hands in the ruck from Pau. Taylor is sent to the bin

51

Replacement

Tovey is on for Evans who has taken a bump. looks precautionary

49

The offending Pau loosened is now replaced. Lucky boy

47

Following one bout of handbags involving Assiratti , he is involved in an incident off the ball. There are claims the Cardiff Blues prop is headbutted on the floor there but no action taken and no TMO

46

Replacement

Full front-row change with Thyer, Belcher, Assiratti on as well as Ratti in the second-row for Paulo

45

Try (Opp.)

Following a succession of scrum penalties, Pau eventually power over for their fifth try. Taylor converts 31-7

40

We're out for the second half and there is one change with Josh Adams coming off for Hallam Amos

40

Half Time

Taylor off target but the try makes it 24-7 at half-time

39

Try (Opp.)

Pourailly has another . A lovely grubber to the corner from Taylor sees the wing dive over for the BP try.

38

Pau are turning the screw here with their giant scrum, they have advantage and are on the five metre line

34

Free-kick from the scrum as Pau push early.

32

Conversion (Opp.)

Taylor converts the effort to make it 19-7

32

With no TMO there is nothing to look at despite Will Boyde's protests

31

Try (Opp.)

As strange a try as you will see. Ben Smith appears out of no where in a midfield ruck and runs clear. He puts Pourailly away.

28

Cardiff Blues just about cling on as Pau surge downfield moving the ball out of the contact but they are penalised at the breakdown much to the dismay of the home crowd

27

French crowd enjoying a bit of kick tennis. It eventually comes to an end as Tomos Williams kick trickles over the whitewash for a Pau 22

25

Turnbull wins the ball but we are matched backwards. We go through the phases but the ball is spilled and Pau clear

24

Cardiff Blues win the lineout on 22. Hard line from Rey and another kick to the corner from Nipper. Pau concede the five-metre lineout

23

Cardiff Blues are awarded a scrum penalty and go quick. A lovely attack comes to an end with Nipper threading a lovely kick to the corner. Pau clear from the five-metre line

21

Pau win the lineout but the scrappy nature of the game ensues and they are unable to get it back. Scrum Cardiff Blues

20

But the lineout is stolen and Pau are now awarded the penalty

19

Cardiff Blues are awarded a penalty and kick to the 22.

17

Taylor is off target but the try makes it 12-7 to the hosts

15

Try (Opp.)

Pau power over from the lineout to take the lead

14

Pau capitalise on loose play as no one can grasp the ball. The home side are awarded a penalty and kick to the five-metre line

12

Conversion (Opp.)

Tom Taylor is on target

11

Try (Opp.)

The damage is done as Pau finally power over with Tom Taylor adding the extras

10

A scrum penalty sees Pau kick to the corner and lay siege to the Cardiff Blues line. They run hard through their big carriers and Thibault Daubanga takes a quick tap.

7

A superb rip from Turnbull sees Cardiff Blues bring a sustained period of pressure to an end. The Blues play from deep inside their 22 and quick hands sees Morgan and Evans combine to put Adams away. He is ankle tapped as he makes the Pau half.

4

Conversion

Evans adds the extras with the help of the left upright

4

Try

An opportunist try finished by the Lane Train. Josh Turnbull takes a high back and one simple pop puts Lane away for a simple run in

3

A monstrous scrum drives Cardiff Blues back but remarkably Boyde collects.

2

It's been all Pau in the opening minutes with a big cheer as All Black legend Ben Smith gets his first touch in France but a knock on from Pourailly gives Cardiff Blues a scrum on half-way

0

Teams are out and Pau will kick off with Cardiff Blues playing into the sun in the first half.

0

Cardiff Blues will run out as announced. Just one change from last week with Filo Paulo coming in for Ratti

0

Two minutes until kick-off and the sun has come out. Pitch not too bad considering recent weather