RaboDirect PRO12 match report - Blues inflict home misery on Munster
Owen Williams and Robin Copeland touched down as the Cardiff Blues recorded a surprise 17-6 away victory over Munster.
Last Updated: 05/01/13 10:11pm
It was the Welsh outfit's first success on Munster soil since October 2007 and came on a night when Ronan O'Gara became the Irish province's most-capped player.
But on his landmark evening, O'Gara had to play second fiddle to opposite number Rhys Patchell as the teenage Blues fly-half produced a man-of-the-match display; converting both tries, which added to an early penalty, and displaying a calmness and control beyond his years in the number 10 shirt.
O'Gara landed a penalty in each half but Munster lacked penetration throughout and have now fallen to sixth in the RaboDirect PRO12 standings.
Patchell was to the fore from the beginning and was only just denied a try of his own by Donnacha Ryan after a dart towards the right corner, but was able to knock a subsequent penalty over for a 3-0 lead.
But O'Gara levelled on 22 minutes after Cardiff infringed at the scrum and that would be the way things remained until the interval.
Opportunist try
Munster failed to take advantage of a Howlett surge at the start of the second period and the Blues would then nip back ahead thanks an opportunist try from Williams.
Two short passes from Patchell and Roberts released the winger in midfield and he broke the first tackle and then evaded both Duncan Williams and Denis Hurley on the way to the line.
Patchell converted but Bradley Davies was caught offside from the restart and O'Gara quickly closed the gap for Munster to 10-6.
The fit-again Leigh Halfpenny made an impact off the bench as the Blues, now growing in confidence, exerted more control and they wrapped up victory with a second try nine minutes from time.
Munster lost control of a ruck ball near halfway and excellent number eight Copeland raced away from O'Gara and company to score in the left corner, Patchell adding the extras.