CARDIFF SNATCH FINAL HEINEKEN CUP SPOT
VIADANA 9 BLUES 38
Cardiff Blues clinched the 24th and final place in next season’s Heineken Cup with a 38-9 victory over Viadana in Italy.
The Welsh region, who have never failed to reach for Europe’s top club competition, faced the Italians folliowing in a winner-takes-all clash following a hugely disappointing domestic season in the Celtic League.
However even without their three British Lions – Martyn Williams, Tom Shanklin and Gethin Jenkins- and the suffocating heat of Italy’s early heat-wave, they eventually proved too strong for their opponents.
Nicky Robinson gave Wales coach Mike Ruddock a timely reminder that he is finally back to full fitness having missed virtually the entire season with a mystery virus with lively display. The Blues’ outside-half inspired a second-half revival after Robin Sowden-Taylor had linked up with Robert Sidoli for their first just 40 seconds after the break.
Robinson combined with Rhys Williams to send over Dewdney who returned the compliment to the fly-half and then Craig Morgan as Cardiff finally flexed their muscles to remain among the continent’s elite.
Viadana: C Steyn; K Robertson, D Sacca (C Spadaro, 73), A Masi, T Beim; D Lilley, M Mazzantini (P Travagli, 47); M Savi (capt, M Aguero, 58), S Saviozzi (E de Bellis, 58), C Nieto E Brancalion, 58), C Bezzi, V Humphries (G Hayter, H-T), J Sole, D Stead, A Benatti
Pens – D Lilley (3)
Cardiff Blues: N MacLeod; D Dewdney, R Williams (capt), T Davies (L Thomas, 78), C Morgan; N Robinson, R Powell; J Yapp (N Llewellyn, 76), G Williams (R Thomas, 66), B Evans, D Jones (C Quinnell, 72), R Sidoli, M Molitika (N Budgett, 67), M Lewis, R Sowden-Taylor
Tries – R Sowden-Taylor, D Dewdney, N Robinson, C Morgan
Cons – N MacLeod (3)
Pens – N MacLeod (3)
Referee: Dave Pearson (England)
Attendance: 1,750
