REPORT: Cardiff Blues 25-24 Bristol Rugby

Tom Varndell grabbed a try either side of half-time, while Ben Mosses also crossed late on. Gavin Henson struck ten points from the boot.

Cardiff took the lead inside five minutes when Tom James ghosted through the red shirted defence to touch down for an unconverted try.

Gavin Henson’s long-range penalty goal midway through the first period cut the deficit, but Steve Shingler’s touch down following a quickly taken penalty stretched the Blues’ advantage.

Late in the first half, Tom Varndell’s superb solo try – kicking ahead and outpacing his marker to slide over – kept Bristol in touching distance at 12-10.

Although former full back Matthew Morgan went close after the restart, it was the visitors who turned the game on its head when Tom Varndell grabbed his second of the afternoon, powering over from forty metres.

With ten minutes remaining, Aled Summerhill squeezed over in the corner for an unconverted try, drawing the home side level at 17-17.

And replacement Jarrod Evans’ three-pointer edged Cardiff back ahead, before Blaine Scully confirmed the Blues’ victory when he slid over late on, despite Ben Mosses’ last-gasp consolation.

Cardiff Blues:

Matthew Morgan; Alex Cuthbert, Cory Allen, Rey Lee Lo, Tom James; Steve Shingler, Tomos Williams; Rhys Gill, Kirby Myhill, Taufa'ao Filise, George Earle, Cam Dolan, Macauley Cook, Ellis Jenkins (c), Nick Williams.

Replacements: Kristian Dacey, Brad Thyer, Dillon Lewis, James Down, Josh Navidi, Tavis Knoyle, Jarrod Evans, Garyn Smith, Harri Millard, Aled Summershill, Shane Lewis-Hughes, James Sheekey, Dan Fish, Blaine Scully.

Bristol Rugby:

Jack Wallace; Ryan Edwards, Will Hurrell, Gavin Henson, Tom Varndell; Adrian Jarvis, Will Cliff; Soane Tonga’uiha, Chris Brooker, Gaston Cortes, James Phillips, Ben Glynn, Jon Fisher, Olly Robinson, Jordan Crane (c).

Replacements: Ross McMillan, Kyle Traynor, Anthony Perenise, Joe Joyce, Jack Lam, Rhodri Williams, Jordan Williams, Ben Mosses.

Referee: Andy Brace