Blues complete Italian job
Cardiff Blues ended a three-match losing streak as they saw off RaboDirect PRO12 rivals Aironi 37-26 on Italian soil.
Last Updated: 08/10/11 5:38pm
Cardiff Blues ended a three-match losing streak as they defeated RaboDirect PRO12 rivals Aironi 37-26 at Stadio Luigi Zaffanella.
The visitors secured a bonus-point victory to arrest their recent run of poor form, although they were pushed hard by their Italian opponents.
The Welsh side led 20-11 at the break thanks to tries from Dafydd Hewitt and Chris Czekaj and 10 points from fly-half Ceri Sweeney's boot.
Wing Sinoti Sinoti had crossed early on for the hosts, breaking the deadlock after just two minutes, with Naas Olivier kicking two penalties.
Nick Williams crossed twice in the second half, his second try securing a losing bonus point, with an effort from Gilberto Pavan sandwiched in between.
However the Blues kept their noses in front thanks to a score from Xavier Rush, before Czekaj's second of the afternoon made sure of victory. Sweeney converted both and also slotted over a penalty for a personal haul of 17 points.