Top Performers from the Welsh Derby
- 1354
The Cardiff Blues came away with the spoils in the first Welsh derby of the weekend thanks to Gareth Anscombe's nerves of steel in the final moments of the match.
Here are top performers from the clash that saw the Dragons keep the match tight despite having Zane Kirchner sin-binned early on and Lloyd Fairbrother sent off before halftime:
Josh Lewis - Dragons
Cardiff may have ran away with the game, had it not been for Lewis' excellent game management as he continually pinned the Blues in their own half with his accurate boot to touch.
He got the Dragons out of a number of testing situations and converted all of his attempts at goal including a long-range drop goal.
Aaron Wainwright - Dragons
A handy shift from the young Welsh back rower who got stuck into the nitty gritty of the match in testing conditions.
He got made few hefty hits on defence and showed a good burst of speed during his strong carries.
Gareth Anscombe - Cardiff Blues
Another superb performance by the playmaker who marshalled his troops to victory.
Anscombe wasn't named as the man of the match but must have come pretty close with game management and accurate boot ultimately winning the game for the home side.
🏉 FT in Cardiff Arms Park and Gareth Anscombe slots over a penalty to win the derby for the Blues!
— Premier Sports 📺 (@PremierSportsTV) December 21, 2018
CAR 19-16 DRA#GuinnessPRO14 pic.twitter.com/LkLWCuQU71
Josh Navidi - Cardiff Blues
Another brilliant performance by the Welsh flanker who is showing exactly what his side were missing while he was nursing an injury.
He made a few vital steals at key times for his side and was a real menace at the breakdown throughout the game.
He also weighed in with 15 tackles, a total only better by Kristian Dacey.
Olly Robinson - Cardiff Blues
Robinson was rewarded with the man of the match award in a match that was won up front.
He dominated the tackle area well and worked brilliantly with Navidi to put the Dragons attack under real pressure at the breakdown.
He made all 14 of his attempted tackles and carried the ball 5 times but it was his work at ruck time that ultimately got his side over the line.
A big shift from @ollyrobbo as @cardiff_blues claimed derby victory 💪
— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) December 21, 2018
Robinson was presented with #GUINNESSPRO14 Man of the Match award by Terry Gee #CBLvDRA pic.twitter.com/8ul374oG9s
