Sinbad treble sinks Blues

Gloucester reached their second consecutive LV= Cup final after a hat-trick from wing James Simpson-Daniel helped them see off Cardiff Blues 29-18.

Blues saw off the Cherry and Whites 50-12 in the Anglo-Welsh decider last year before defeating them 26-25 in the pool stages of the tournament this season, but Bryan Redpath's men refused to back down at the Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday.

The scores were tied at 10-10 at half-time after Casey Laulala went over for Dai Young's side while full-back Freddie Burns touched down for Gloucester, with Ben Blair and Nicky Robinson each kicking five points.

But Simpson-Daniel's treble after the break fired the visitors ahead, with Ceri Sweeney's late try not enough to help the struggling Blues.

Strong start

Gloucester made a strong start as former fly-half Robinson successfully kicked one of two early penalties to open the scoring, but Blues swiftly responded with a penalty of their own from the boot of full-back Blair.

Blues almost snatched the first try of the match soon after as Wales wing Tom James broke clear, chipped Freddie Burns and powered over.

But video referee Tony Rowlands disallowed the effort after ruling he had lost the ball over the line.

Laulala's try left no room for doubt, however, as the Kiwi evaded the Gloucester defence and stepped past Burns to score under the posts, while Blair added the extras.

A crucial error from the hosts saw Gloucester level the scores on the stroke of half-time as a cut-out pass from Sweeney was intercepted by Burns, who strolled over the line for a try, converted by Robinson.

The second half saw Blues' flanker Ben White sent to the sin bin for slowing down the ball, and the visitors took advantage of the weakened home side as Simpson-Daniel went over, with Robinson adding a stunning touchline conversion.

The Blues turned up the heat in response and Blair kicked his second penalty of the game to make it 13-17.

Assault

But Cardiff could not stave off the Gloucester assault as Simpson-Daniel, fed by flanker Akapusi Qera, crashed over for his second, before a Burns chip allowed the former England winger to complete his treble.

Laulala set up Sweeney for a try two minutes from time, but it was no more than a consolation as the visitors held on for the win, leaving Blues facing a battle for Heineken Cup qualification through the Magners League.

Gloucester will face Northampton, who defeated Saracens in the second semi-final, in the final at Sixways Stadium next Sunday.