MAGNERS LEAGUE/ Cardiff Blues 19 Ulster 9:ULSTER PRESSED the self-destruct button at Cardiff City Stadium to see their Magners League play-off hopes evaporate last night. The province trailed 9-6 before second-half yellow cards for Ryan Caldwell and Darren Cave allowed the Blues to nudge to a hard-fought victory.
Niall O’Connor had kept the visitors in touch with three penalties, but ill-discipline proved costly as Blues replacement flanker Ma’ama Molitika powered home for the only try.
Brian McLaughlin had welcomed back Ireland trio Rory Best, Stephen Ferris and Paddy Wallace for the crunch tie as they chased a spot in the top four.
But the Blues were packed with internationals. Gethin Jenkins, Martyn Williams and Leigh Halfpenny returned, while rising Wales star Richie Rees was given the nod at scrumhalf.
Blair handed the Blues a 10th-minute lead with a close penalty, but although the hosts dominated the early possession and territory on a greasy surface, Ulster fought back to level the scores through O’Connor at the end of a scrappy opening quarter.
The outhalf then missed the chance to nudge the visitors ahead in the 27th minute before the home side applied the pressure.
Blues captain Paul Tito brought the game to life with a rampaging run, offloading to Williams for what looked like a straightforward try, but a superb tackle by Darren Cave foiled the Wales flanker.
Tom Shanklin limped off but Blair fired Dai Young’s men into the lead with a second penalty, and added a third on half-time.
At the start of the second period the Blues raised the tempo.
But O’Connor capitalised with an excellent strike from halfway to cut the deficit to three.
Then Ulster proved to be their own worst enemy. Secondrow Caldwell was sent to the sin-bin for persistent infringing.
As the tension increased, Blair showed his nerves by hitting the left upright.
The visitors were reduced to 13 men when Cave tripped Halfpenny on 67 minutes, and the Blues took advantage instantly. Blair kicked to the right corner and Molitika caught the lineout and crashed over for a converted try.
O’Connor scored his third penalty but Blair sealed victory with his fourth penalty.
CARDIFF BLUES: B Blair; L Halfpenny, C Laulala, T Shanklin (D Hewitt 31), T James; C Sweeney, R Rees; G Jenkins, R Thomas, T Filise (S Andrews 20-29), S Morgan, P Tito (capt; A Pretorius 50-57), A Powell (M Molitika 64), X Rush, M Williams. Replacements not used: R Williams, G Cooper, D Flanagan.
ULSTER: J Smith; A Trimble, D Cave, P Wallace, S Danielli (T Nagusa 77); N O’Connor, P Marshall; T Court (D Fitzpatrick 62), R Best (N Brady 75), B Botha, D Tuohy (E O’Donoghue 50), R Caldwell, S Ferris, C Henry (capt), D Pollock. Replacements not used: R Diack, M Heaney, I Humphreys. Yellow card: Caldwell 60, Cave 67.
Referee: Neil Paterson (SRU)
