Fine second-half hat-trick: James Simpson-Daniel
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Bryan Redpath has revealed he had given Gloucester's hat-trick hero James Simpson-Daniel a piece of his mind at the interval in Cardiff.
The Cherry and Whites won the LV= Cup last four contest 29-18 to set up a final meeting with Northampton, who beat Saracens.
Gloucester lost 50-12 to the Blues in last year's Anglo-Welsh final and had suffered a 26-25 defeat against them in the pool stages this year's competition, but were not to be denied at the Cardiff City Stadium over the weekend.
The sides were locked at 10-10 at the break, centre Casey Laulala going over for the Blues while full-back Freddie Burns crossed for the visitors after intercepting a Ceri Sweeney pass.
Ben Blair and Nicky Robinson kicked five points apiece but a try treble from Simpson-Daniel put the visitors out of sight, meaning Sweeney's late try was little consolation for Cardiff.
"I thought he had a mixed match in the first half," Redpath said of Simpson-Daniel.
"I had a bit of a go at him at half-time.
"But I'm delighted for him that he went out and scored three tries, particularly when he came in at an angle for the second one."
Redpath also praised former Blues' fly-half Robinson for helping his side ensure good field position and dominate territory.
"That was the big thing. We had the territory in the first half, but kept coughing up possession and falling off tackles," he continued.
"In the second half Nicky had some great kicks for the corners and this time we took advantage."
Meanwhile, Blues coach Dai Young agreed with Redpath's assessment that his side had lost the territorial battle on Sunday.
"It was a typical Nicky performance, some good things and some he would have liked to do better," he said.
"But his kicking out of hand was a big factor in Gloucester's victory.
"We had opportunities to break their momentum, but our lineout wasn't right and when we made line breaks we tried to force the pass.
"And that interception try before half-time was a kick in the teeth, just as we'd started to get on top."
The returning Robinson was delighted to have beaten his former club, and agreed that Burns' interception had been a crucial moment.
"That was a real boost to us, going in level instead of seven points down," he said.
"Then we defended well when they were in our half and took our own chances."







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