Connacht get the blues in Cardiff

Cardiff 33, Connacht 17

Cardiff out-half Nicky Robinson scored 15 points, as Michael Bradley’s Connacht side lost their unbeaten record in this year’s Celtic League, with a 33-17 defeat against the Blues at Arms Park.

The young kicker put in an accomplished all-round display after both sides managed three tries apiece in an entertaining encounter.

Connacht winger Conor McPhillips crossed twice, as John Sullivan opened the try count with an early effort, ghosting through a huge midfield gap to touchdown.

However a Nick MacLeod try allied to three Robinson penalties gave the home side a 23-12 interval lead.

Ten minutes into the second half, McPhillips muscled over in the right corner to ground with inches to spare, and ensure his side retook the lead.

Jamie Robinson, omitted from Wales' World Cup squad, showed all his pace and strength to put the Blues ahead again with the best try of the half, before brother Nicky kicked his second conversion and then a couple of penalties to give Cardiff some breathing space going into the second half.

The Westerners’ back row Matt Lacey was sent to the line following a ruck infringement, by referee Rob Dickson, as Cardiff took hold of the game, opening a 19-point lead with more than 20 minutes to go.

McPhillips scored his second try soon after to close that gap, showing a great turn of pace, but Eric Elwood’s conversion attempt slipped wide.

Cardiff’s Dan Baugh was sin-binned for ball killing, as Connacht nearly stung their hosts with a fourth try, through McPhillips, but they were just short of the line, and of earning a precious bonus point.

The Arms Park result sees Welsh rugby complete a hat-trick of wins over Irish sides this weekend in Celtic League competition.

Connacht: 15 Mark McHugh, 14 Conor McPhillips, 13 Darren Yapp, 12 Tim Allnutt (captain), 11 Wayne Munn, 10 Eric Elwood, 9 Chris Keane, 8 Matt Lacey, 7 John O'Sullivan, 6 Michael Swift, 5 Andrew Farley, 4 Damian Browne, 3 Adrian Clarke, 2 Bernard Jackman, 1 Warren O'Kelly.

Replacements: 16 John Fogarty, 17 Fabian Boiroux, 18 Mike McCarthy, 19 Mick Carroll, 20 Connor O'Loughlin, 21 Daid Hewitt, 22 Ted Robinson.