Stade Toulousain 23 Cardiff Blues 7
Saturday 19 December 2.35 kick off
Having won 15-9 last weekend Cardiff Blues kicked off the return leg against the three times European champions.
It was Toulouse who threatened first with a good break by Michalak ably supported by Donguy who took them to within a yard of the tryline before Powell brought him down. As Toulouse looked to use a huge overlap on the right Mustoe did superbly to intercept the ball and stop a certain try.
The game was a lot more open than last week’s encounter with both teams looking to throw the ball around. Toulouse always looked dangerous with Poitrenaud and Skrela looking to run the ball.
Michalak converted a penalty and the Blues were dealt a further blow in the 12th minute when Paul Tito was sent to the bin. Andy Powell was having and outstanding match always seeming to tackle the man in the last line of defence.
Again Toulouse threatened with Michalak passing on to Skrela who slipped the ball out of the tackle, however Tritz was held up over the line. Eventually they broke through with Michalak burrowing over from a ruck.
The Blues struck back in spectacular fashion. Norton Knight made a good break and beat his man before slipping a pass to Filise who had the power and pace to charge in from 30 yards. Blair converted to bring the score to 8-7.
The Blues won a line out and Gareth Williams sprinted down the wing to within 5 yards of the tryline before being tackled. Toulouse were penalised with Albasete yellow carded, but Blair was very unlucky with his penalty attempt, which looked to have gone between the sticks, that kept the score at 8-7.
Half Time Stade Toulousain 8 Cardiff Blues 7
The second half started with a long range penalty effort by Tritz that just failed to reach it’s target. Powell was shown a yellow card which was very harsh as Poitrenaud seemed to land on him after kicking. Michalak converted the penalty.
Toulouse threatened again and worked the ball well into the Blues twenty two but the defence was solid. However, Michalak dropped back and slotted a penalty.
The Blues also looked to spread it with the ball going first left then right however they weren’t gaining ground and were eventually penalised and Toulouse cleared. Michalak was again accurate with a penalty a few minutes later.
The Blues also threatened with Ben Blair slicing the defence with a great run and Shanklin powering through the middle. The blues failed to recycle the ball quickly and Toulouse managed the stop the attack. Minutes latter they attacked again this time with Andy Powell leading the charge, however Toulouse again managed to halt it and clear. Michalak added a further penalty to bring the score to 20-7 with 10 minutes left.
The Blues needed something to leave with a losing bonus point but it was Toulouse who looked most likely to score. Michalak kicked his 5th penalty of the afternoon and despite a valiant effort the Blues left France empty handed.