Parks and Blair steer Blues past Treviso

Benetton Treviso 7 Cardiff Blues 19

Cardiff Blues eased to a Magners League victory in Italy by virtue of a one-sided first half.

The Welsh side led 13-0 at the interval through Ben Blair’s try and eight points from Dan Parks.

The Scotland fly-half added a further penalty and a second drop-goal in the second period, with Antonio Pavanello’s converted try providing the hosts’ only response.

Parks set the Blues on their way with a third-minute penalty, but both he and Leigh Halfpenny missed further place-kicks before Parks slotted a drop-goal to make it 6-0.

That was how it stayed until five minutes before half-time. Parks missed another penalty, but he was accurate with his conversion after New Zealand full-back Blair crossed.

Treviso made a host of substitutions early in the second half and had a chance to get themselves on the scoreboard, but Tobie Botes missed a penalty.

They finally registered shortly before the hour mark as Italy lock Pavanello touched down for a score improved by Botes.

Parks popped over another penalty with 11 minutes remaining and his drop-goal with three minutes left rounded off the win.