Cardiff Blues beat Edinburgh to return to winning ways in Guinness PRO12
Last Updated: 02/03/15 11:07am
Cardiff Blues showed improved form to claim a welcome 21-15 win over Edinburgh in their Guinness PRO12 clash at the Arms Park.
The victory ended a three-match losing run in the league for Blues, who had Paul John and Dale McIntosh in charge following the recent departure of director of rugby Mark Hammett.
The creativity of Cardiff backs Lloyd Williams and Cory Allen was a crucial factor as Blues scored tries through Williams, Ellis Jenkins, and Rhys Patchell, who also converted all three scores.
Tim Visser and Roddy Grant touched down for Edinburgh, with Tom Heathcote converting one and adding a penalty, but the Scottish side’s second-half rally came up just short.
After an error-strewn start to the game, Patchell had the first chance for points but his penalty attempt sailed wide.
The outside-half soon had another opportunity to kick at goal but this time Blues elected for an attacking line-out and were rewarded with the first try.
Cardiff won the line-out and drove to put the opposition defence on the back foot, which allowed Williams to spot a gap and race over with Patchell converting.
After 26 minutes, Blues suffered a blow when their No 8 Manoa Vosawai was yellow-carded for a high tackle on Jade Te Rure, but Edinburgh could not capitalise as the resulting penalty saw Te Rure's easy kick rebound back off a post.
Edinburgh captain Mike Coman soon followed Vosawai into the sin-bin as the whistle of Irish referee Dudley Phillips continued to be the dominant feature before Blues scored their second try.
From a ruck 15 metres out, Williams and Tom Isaacs combined cleverly to send Jenkins over, with Patchell adding the extras for a 14-0 half-time lead.
Allen departed at the interval with an injury while Heathcote replaced Te Rure, and it was he who put Edinburgh on the scoreboard after 44 minutes with a penalty.
The Scottish pack began to dominate the set pieces, pinning the hosts in their own half. Neil Cochrane's drive for the line seemed to have brought reward but the try was ruled out.
However, Edinburgh were not to be denied for long as Visser ran straight between the Cardiff centres for an excellent solo try, which Heathcote converted to put the visitors right back into the game.
Back came Cardiff with a sustained movement, which ended with Patchell crossing in the corner for a try which he also converted with a splendid kick.
Josh Turnbull became the second Blues player to be sent to the bin and moments later Grant finished off a line-out drive to close the gap to six points and set up an exciting final 10 minutes.
However, Blues just held on, helped by a late yellow card for Edinburgh wing Dougie Fife.
