Danny Wilson is proud of the way his side bounced back to claim victory over Sale Sharks in the second part of their crucial European double-header.
Matthew Morgan’s second half try proved decisive, as Wales’ Capital Region sealed a 14-6 win over the Aviva Premiership outfit, having suffered a 24-0 loss in the reverse fixture last week.
Despite the horrendous weather, the Blues controlled the majority of the encounter, remaining 3-3 at half-time and then pulling away with the wind at their backs in the second half. The victory ensures Cardiff Blues remain top of Pool Two ahead of rounds five and six in January.
“We came away with a ground-out win, because these conditions probably suit Sale a bit better than us, and I’m really pleased we’ve come away with the win and tactically got things right,” said Wilson.
“It’s a pleasing week that the players have gone out and delivered and I thought we came off the better in the kicking duel, which we were comfortably second best last week.
“In poor conditions we played some rugby, and played some good stuff in both halves, put them under a bit of pressure and they’re one of the best defences in the Aviva Premiership at the moment.
“We worked far harder for each other and that’s the difference between one week and the next.
“Gareth Anscombe played well at 10 and directed us well. Tomos Williams, and then Lloyd Williams, directed us well at nine and we seemed to be far more accurate and precise with the things we did.
“It’s not as motivating for these group of boys to play in these conditions as it is to play a bit of rugby. But what was motivating this week was that we felt that we let our supporters down last week, who made the trip up, and I don’t say that very often.
“We didn’t turn up, we didn’t perform but as I said, don’t over-react to a bad loss as we can get that back the following week, and that’s what we did.”
Wilson is happy that the destiny of the group is in his side’s hands, but expect two tough encounters against Lyon and Toulouse in January.
Wilson said: “A win today puts us back top of the group and gave us our third win, which no one else has had in this group, therefore making us in command of the group.
“We now go to Lyon and Toulouse come to us. That’s two multi-million pound budgets and no matter what side they select they’re going to be very dangerous.
“The important part was getting the job done today, because if we came out of the double-header with two losses, it would’ve really knocked our confidence, but the win today has lifted our confidence and hopefully we can take that into the derbies.”