Cardiff run in nine tries against Borders

Cardiff Blues 59 Borders 13

Cardiff Blues made light of the treacherous conditions to run in nine tries in a club record score which fully avenged their shock defeat in Scotland in September.

Centre Jamie Robinson, captaining the side for the first time, celebrated with four tries, but the best score came from wing Tom Shanklin.

A two-try replacement for Wales in Dublin last Sunday, and hoping for a starting spot against France, he galloped 60 yards, catching his own kick ahead, to claim the touchdown.

Despite an early penalty from half way by Borders’ fullback Gareth Morton, the Blues soon showed their intentions with some superb inter-passing, ending with Jamie Robinson cutting in to score his first.

After another Morton kick, the younger Robinson, Nicky, took his turn, following a strong run by Shanklin.

The Borders cut the deficit to a single point when left wing Craig Moir - ironically, a former Wales school cap – steamrollered fullback Craig Morgan to go over and Morton converted.

But the Blues turned to their pack for a change and lively lock Jim Brownrigg was driven over for their third try.

The Scots then lost skipper Kevin Utterson, harshly sin binned for knocking down a try-scoring pass, and the home side capitalised with two more tries before the break, scored by Jonny Vaughton and Shanklin.

The one-way traffic continued in the second period, with Jamie Robinson running in three more tries before he and brother Nicky – six conversions out of eight – departed the scene.

With them went the Blues’ cutting edge, but the forwards still created one final touchdown for Craig Quinnell, improved by fellow replacement Nick Macleod.