Cardiff Blues 11 – 3 Leinster
Cardiff Blues moved into second place in the Magners League table with a hard-fought victory over Leinster in the Welsh capital on Saturday.
Veteran flanker Martyn Williams proved to be the difference, as it was his exquisite pass that created the only try of the evening in a game dominated by the hosts.
The Blues starved their visitors of possession and territory throughout the game but ferocious defence from the Irish province kept the score-sheet in check.
Fly-half Ceri Sweeney kicked the opening points with a simple penalty after Leinster’s Isa Nacewa had missed his opening chance of the evening.
Phase after phase the Blues threw their attacking might at Leinster and it seemed only a matter of time before the rigid defence was broken.
The Blues pack marched their way up-field and then a moment of magic from Williams standing at second-receiver on the blindside sent young full-back Dan Fish sliding into the corner to score.
Leinster only managed a handful of visits into the Blues twenty-two during the opening 40 minutes and on the stroke of half-time Nacewa was successful with his third shot at goal.
After the break Leinster did manage to threaten the Blues line but centre Eoin O’Malley was deemed to be held up over the line and from that point the Blues once again took a strangle-hold of the game.
Williams saw his 47th minute score ruled out for a forward pass and his out-standing back-row sidekick, Andries Pretorius, twice went close before the Blues could finally heave a sigh of relief when Sweeney struck another penalty five minutes from time to secure the victory.
