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Cardiff end run of three losses with win over Benetton

By PA
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Cardiff Blues ended a run of three consecutive PRO14 defeats with a 22-5 victory over Benetton at Rodney Parade. Tries from Rory Thornton, Ben Thomas and Owen Lane saw Blues pick up a much-needed win which saw them join Scarlets in second place in Conference B.

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Jarrod Evans kicked a penalty and two conversions to ensure the Italians remain without a league win this season as they could only manage a consolation try from replacement Tomas Baravalle.

Following his call-up to the Welsh squad, James Botham was a late withdrawal from Blues line-up with James Ratti taking his place in the back row.

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Alun Wyn Jones reflects on Wales’ latest defeat

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Alun Wyn Jones reflects on Wales’ latest defeat

The hosts soon suffered another setback when they conceded an early scrum penalty but in the difficult playing conditions, Ian Keatley could not capitalise with the 45-metre penalty.

Benetton, with the advantage of a stiff wind, had the better of the opening quarter but it was Cardiff who should have picked up the first score but a 30-metre penalty attempt from Evans rebounded off a post.

The first quarter, therefore, finished scoreless but two minutes later Evans got the scoreboard rolling with a straightforward penalty. From the restart, Blues’ centre Willis Halaholo knocked-on to give the Italians a further chance to exert pressure but the home side’s defence held firm before breaking away into opposition territory.

From there, the hosts declined a kickable penalty and their decision was rewarded when lock Thornton finished off a driving line-out to crash over to give his side an 8-0 interval lead.

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Four minutes after the restart, Cardiff flanker Olly Robinson left the field with an injury and was replaced by Alun Lawrence. Robinson’s departure was the catalyst for Benetton to go on the offensive but despite having a number of promising positions, they lacked the accuracy to benefit and the third quarter finished scoreless.

The incessant rain continued to ensure that handling errors were the major feature of the game and these prevented both sides from gaining any real momentum. The game needed something to raise it from its slumbers and it came when Lane was put into space and the wing burst away to evade a defender and score an excellent solo try.

Despite losing a player to the sin-bin, Benetton rallied to open their account with a try from Baravalle from a lineout drive but Blues had the final say with a last-minute try from Thomas.

 

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J
JW 2 hours ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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