Blair boots Blues to Arms Park victory
CARDIFF BLUES 15 – CONNACHT 13 Ben Blair proved a match-winner as Cardiff Blues crept into fifth place in the Magners League with a scrappy win over Connacht. Ex-All Black Blair kicked five penalties to send the Blues to a 15-13 win to add a glimmer of light to a disappointing display at the Arms Park. Matt Mostyn scored the game’s only try after just 70 seconds for Connacht but neither side came close to repeating the feat. Instead it was left to Blair to kick the Blues to a victory that lifts them up the table. The opening try came from the Blues’ inability to clear their lines from the kick-off, after Connacht drove at their pack before Paul Warwick found Mostyn’s well-judged run and the wing was over near the posts. It set the tone for a lacklustre display from the Blues who were without their crop of Wales internationals but should have had enough class to produce far more and trailed 13-9 at the break. The Blues improved in the second half but struggled to create many scoring opportunities against stubborn opposition though Blair’s two penalties proved enough to take the four points. Blues: Pens – B Blair (5) Connacht: Try – M Mostyn. Con – P Warwick. Pen – P Warwick.
