Rugby Union: Davies plays heroic role

Wasps 24 Cardiff 26

So much for the limited prospects of Welsh rugby. An enterprising, and more importantly, entertaining Cardiff side outplayed, out-thought and out-ran a much-vaunted Wasps in the Heineken European Cup and thrilled a sparse crowd at Queen's Park Rangers' Loftus Road ground yesterday.

Jonathan Davies, whom all Wales is willing back to form so that he can reclaim the stand-off position for his country, was the hero. Having dropped a goal in the third minute, it was his second such kick in the last seconds which prevented the travesty of a Wasps' victory. Mind you, he did miss five out of seven other kicks at goal, but in the end he got the ones that counted.

The Londoners had sneaked ahead a minute earlier, courtesy of Gareth Rees's eighth penalty out of nine attempts, yet it was Cardiff who had made all the running throughout this Pool D match. They outscored Wasps by three tries to nil and never let up for an instant. In fact, for the first 10 minutes Wasps barely got a hand on the ball, and in that time, after Davies' drop goal, Cardiff also managed their opening try.

That was a gift in itself, with the unmarked Emyr Lewis taking a line- out ball and driving on. When he was tackled the witless Wasps were unable to take possession of the ball and Lewis got to his feet, picked it up again and this time thundered over for Davies to add the conversion.

Gradually, the boot of Rees pulled Wasps back into the game, and by half- time they were a nose in front. But with the back line they have, including the sprinter Paul Sampson and the awesome Va'aiga Tuigamala, despite his shoulder injury which hampered him throughout the second half, it was a disappointment that they seemed able only to employ Rees.

And when they did he seemed to prefer to hoof the ball into touch, thus handing possession to Cardiff, since they dominated the line-out through the giant Derwyn Jones and the admirable John Wakeford.

When either of those did not feel like it Cardiff employed their third option of Emyr Lewis. And while Wasps were unable to put pressure on a Cardiff throw, they were none too good on their own ball. In mitigation, Wasps could claim that they were up against a side which took the field with 14 internationals and finished it with 15, when Mark Bennett replaced Jamie Ringer.

But any time a Wasp tried to thrust his way through, Tuigamala or whoever, he would run up against a wall of old-fashioned Welsh steel.

Cardiff tackled like heroes and countered sharply. Robert Howley, the scrum-half, was given plenty of ball and protection and thoroughly deserved his two tries. The first was a gem early in the second half, a scrum, down the narrow side, a dummy, off the left foot, off the right foot and he is no slouch. He covered the 30 yards like a whippet.

It was only late in the game - too late - that Wasps began to buzz. One of their best chances came via Nick Greenstock, who could have passed to Sampson in acres of space and little cover, but instead the centre opted to kick. And that summed up Wasps' day.

Wasps: Penalties Rees 8. Cardiff: Tries Lewis, Howley 2; Conversion Davies; Penalty Davies; Drop goals Davies 2.

Wasps: J Ufton (M Fraser, 22-32); P Sampson, N Greenstock, V Tuigamala, L Scrase; G Rees, A Gomarsall; M Griffiths, S Mitchell, W Green, D Cronin, M Greenwood, M White (J Worsley, 31-40), L Dallaglio (capt), C Sheasby.

Cardiff: J Thomas; S Hill, M Hall, G Jones, N Walker; J Davies, R Howley; L Mustoe, J Humphreys, D Young, J Wakeford, D Jones, H Taylor (capt), J Ringer (M Bennett, 52), E Lewis.

Referee: B Stirling (Belfast).