Like in the match at Sardis road, Dai Young fielded a different side for each half, as fans got a chance to see all the stars for the second time in 08/09, and in all fairness to both the ticket office and the fans, there were plenty of people enjoying the friendly encounter.

A fairly average opening to the match was eventually broken, when Saints scored the opening try against the run of play. The Blues had previously spent 5 minutes camped up the other end of the pitch, but having failed to take their chances, Alex Rae being driven over the line following a line-out.

But it was to be short lived, as the Blues first half XV, which include experimental centre partnership Jamies', Roberts and Robinson, as well as Nick Robinson and new captain, Paul Tito, fought back to claim their own score not long after.

It was Robinson junior whose deft grubber kick into the goal area was pounced on by hooker Gareth Williams, who clearly felt very comfortable flying down the wing berth, beating Leigh Halfpenny to the ball!

From then on until the half time whistle, it seemed one way traffic, despite some questionable and inconsistent refereeing. But they were unable to really convert their possession and territory into any points.

That was until Mark Lewis' break up field, taking the Blues into the 22. Nick Robinson received early ball, and Cardiff looked certain to score out wide, where there was a massive overlap - something like 5 to 2! - but instead Jamie Roberts backed himself against the two men from 7 yards out, and carried the ball and the two defenders over the line with him! (Pictured) It was a fine demonstration of the highly talented full backs strength, but in truth, it showed more about why he should not be converted to centre.

Northampton claimed a consolation penalty, taking the scores 12-8 at half time.

There was very little about that first half performance that will have inspired Young, with the season just a week away, as passing looked poor from Nick Robinson, and the partnership of the Jamie's simply didn't bring the best out of either player.

There were encouraging returns for Gareth Williams, who looks as energetic as last year, and Ben White, who may become a big player for us this year, but generally, it all looked very... untrained.

Still, the second half proved far better, although it was essentially a new XV verses the same Saints side, just to put it into perspective. But as they say, you can only beat what you're up against, and the second half boys certainly did that.

Sweeney scored his second in two games, as he opened the scoring after gathering his own grubber kick, no one can doubt he'll be putting some pressure on Robinson to play to his absolute best.

Two tries in then came in quick succession for Tom Shanklin, who first was the benefactor of Czekaj, Blair and Mustoe's good work to free up space as  Shanks went through to score untouched, while the second try really belonged to scrum half Darren Allinson, who this site has already tipped to be hot property this season. He gathered the loose ball after a Saints knock on, gave an inside switch to Shanklin just after he'd drawn the man leaving the centre to run in again unscathed, and the audience in awe.

But as the match become little more than a training exercise, the biggest cheer of the night came as Chris Czekaj ran in his first try in 15 months, following the well documented leg break injury. Despite showing a much wider and larger frame than on his last outing, he showed that he'd not lost any of the pace that had made hi a prolific scorer for the Blues prior to his long lay out. If he can continue to work on his speed, and keep growing in confidence, a Welsh re-call will surely be on the cards.

Leigh Halfpenny, who came back on in the second half, grabbed the Blues last try, showing why he was the star of Wales' Under 20's World Cup side, and why there's so much talk about the youngster at the Arms Park. Having gathered a clearance kick in his own half, Leigh saw a gap behind the rushing up defence, chipped over, and had the pack to beat opponents to the ball, to hack on again and touch down over the line.

Rob Milligan scored Northampton's only points of the second half, demonstrating a nice dummy and step to break the Blues defence for only a handful of times throughout the 40 minutes.

Final Score

Cardiff Blues 43 Northampton Saints 13

Blues 1st Half XV
Davies (Blair); Halfpenny, J Robinson, Roberts, Brew; N Robinson, Spice; Gill, G Williams, Filise, Down, Tito (capt), White, Sowden-Taylor, Lewis.

Blues 2nd Half XV
Blair (Halfpenny 61mins), Mustoe, Shanklin, Hewitt, Czekaj, Sweeney, Allinson, Jenkins (Roberts), Thomas, Powell, Davies, Morgan (capt), Molitika, M Williams (Shellard), Powell.

Tries
G Williams, Roberts, Sweeney, Shanklin (2), Cezkaj, Halfpenny

Cons
Robinson, Blair, Sweeney (2).

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