GARETH THOMAS made his Blues bow, but was overshadowed by a youngster who could take his place in the Wales side against South Africa next month. For 20-year-old Tom James lit up proceedings as the Magners League leaders clicked after an hour of mediocrity at Cardiff Arms Park to pull away for a bonus-point victory. Young gun James went on Wales tour of Australia during the summer but took time to recover from the experience.
But he was back to his best against Connacht with Wales World Cup captain Thomas having to watch in admiration after coming on as a substitute. James struck for vital tries in the 71st and 75th minutes the Irish minnows were admittedly reduced to 13 men by two sin-binnings to see off typically gritty opponents. The Blues have had problems against Connacht in the past and it was a familiar story last night.
The lead might have changed hands five times, but there was always a feeling that the Welsh region, who maintained their three-point lead over the Scarlets at the top of the table, would pull away. But it wasn't until yellow cards were shown to Connacht winger Ofisa Treviranus for a professional foul and hooker John Fogarty for dissent that it happened. James got his first touchdown when Connacht full-back Gavin Duffy and left wing Keith Matthews collided as they attempted to catch an up-and-under.
The ball bounced loose and James showed his football skills to calmly hack on a few times before gathering to score. James showed his speed for his second and killer try as he pressed the accelerator to round the Connacht defence. Connacht had got off to a flyer when centre Mel Deane charged down an attempted clearance from Blues full-back Ben Blair.
The former Sale Sharks centre was on it in a flash, seizing the loose ball. Tim Donnelly put in a towering cross-kick, but referee Peter Fitzgibbon blew for offside.
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