Celtic League:Cardiff have climbed into a prime position to win the Magners Celtic League after last night's 31-20 victory over the Dragons at the Arms Park.
They went into the game in third place behind leaders Leinster and the Ospreys, but the win has seen them leapfrog both teams.
Making the victory all the more enjoyable is the fact that they managed to grab a bonus point in scoring four tries, a fact that means they now lead the table by a couple of points over the Irish province, whom they meet at home in their final match.
Leinster should be good enough to take maximum points (five) from their clash with the Border Reivers at Donnybrook on Saturday.
Theoretically, the Ospreys are still the best placed in terms of points available, but they must travel to the Dragons on Tuesday before concluding with two games in Scotland.
Scrumhalf Mike Philips scored two tries last night - the first coming after Gareth Cooper fumbled from a ruck. Ben Blair converted for Cardiff from under the posts. Ceri Sweeney got the Dragons on the scoreboard from a penalty, but Blair soon replied. Xavier Rush then charged over and Blair's conversion gave the Blues a 17-3 lead at half-time.
Soon after the resumption, Dragons flanker Joe Bearman scored under the posts with Sweeney adding the extras. However, a Tom Shanklin try and a Blair kick saw the 14-point margin restored. A Sweeney penalty kept the Dragons interested, but the Blues secured the bonus point when Phillips got his second. Blair again converted. A try by Gareth Maule, improved by Sweeney, caused a few nervous moments, but Cardiff held out.
SCORERS- Cardiff Blues: Tries: Phillips 2, Rush, Shanklin. Cons: Blair 4. Pens: Blair. N-G Dragons: Tries: Bearman, Maule. Cons: Sweeney 2. Pens: Sweeney 2.
CARDIFF BLUES: Blair, R. Williams, Shanklin, Stcherbina, Czekaj, N. Robinson, Phillips, Jenkins, G. Williams, G Powell, Jones, Sidoli, Morgan, Sowden-Taylor, Rush. Replacements: Davies for Sidoli (58 mins); M Williams for Sowden-Taylor (62); Lewis for Rush, J Robinson for Shanklin (both 66); Roberts for Jenkins (69), Evans for Phillips (70). Not used: Thomas.
N-G DRAGONS: Morgan, Wyatt, Maule, P Dolman, Fussell, Sweeney, Cooper, Maddocks, Daly, R Thomas, Hall, Charteris, Bearman, Ringer, Owen. Replacements: Gough for Hall (53 mins); A Thomas for P Dolman (59); Walker for Cooper, Black for Maddocks, Wilkes for Daly (61 mins). Not used: M Thomas, Lydiatt. Att: 9,326.
Referee: N Owens(WRFU).
