Danny Wilson was delighted with Cardiff Blues' response as they battled back to snatch a vital European Challenge Cup victory over Section Paloise (Pau).
Wales’ Capital Region trailed 14-6 at half-time with the hosts claiming two power-packed tries in front of their home crowd at Stade du Hameau.
But they displayed plenty of fighting spirit as Willis Halaholo crossed the whitewash and Steven Shingler kept the scoreboard ticking to take the lead.
Pau hit-back with a third try of their own but every time the Blues held onto the ball they caused the French opposition problems and in the final minutes they were rewarded with a penalty and Shingler remained ice cool to bisect the posts for a well-deserved win.
The Cardiff Blues head coach said: “It was a pleasing second-half and I’m pleased we got over the line.
“We were pretty disappointed with our first-half performance and it was a pretty tough changing room at half-time but the boys certainly came out and responded.
“There were some pretty strong words – our turnover rate was way too high, we were making too many errors and there were loose kicks where we gave possession away.
“Ultimately we weren’t building enough pressure to wear them down or working hard enough to fold in defence. We improved on a couple of those areas and the second-half was a lot better.
“We built a lot more pressure and ultimately did enough to sneak an away which is tough thing to do against a team like that, especially after a week we have had with a few injuries on top of the ones we already have.
“Credit to the likes of Corey Domachowski and Anton Peikrishvili, who both went on the loose-head for us tonight – one that doesn’t play there and the other a youngster coming back from injury. It was great from them and a pleasing second-half performance.
“To come here and get a win, especially when you are down at half-time shows the character we can produce. I haven’t questioned the character in the last few weeks but our turnover rate, our areas and contact area – that’s what’s hurt us.”
Wilson was also full of praise for the Cardiff Blues travelling contingent, who made themselves heard throughout the testing encounter.
With renditions of Land of my Fathers, Calon Lan and Lan y Mor reverberating around a bitterly cold Stade du Hameau, the Blues were roared on.
Wilson added: “You certainly heard them. They were fantastic tonight and the boys were very keen to go over and thank them for their efforts.
“I’m glad we were able to reward them with a win and I’m sure they’ll enjoy a couple of drinks tonight.”
Tickets for Cardiff Blues v Bristol, in the final round of the European Challenge Cup, can be bought by clicking here.