Friday 14 November 2014 21:56, UK
Cardiff captain Ellis Jenkins helped the Blues to a second straight win in the LV= Cup, and put them in a commanding position to progress in the process, as they defeated Scarlets 19-13 on Friday.
Last weekend the Blues turned around a 14-point half-time deficit at Newcastle to record a one-point win, while the Scarlets crashed at home to Northampton.
Both regions regard the Anglo-Welsh tournament as a chance to try out up-and-coming players, with four in each squad receiving their competitive debuts and the Scarlets having an average age of 21.
The home team might have matched that, but for the inclusion of 37-year-old Tongan prop Taufa'ao Filise, who was making his 182nd appearance for the Blues and equalling the record set by former hooker Rhys Thomas.
Scarlets fly-half Josh Lewis made the first impact, kicking a third-minute penalty despite the ball falling off the tee as he approached. Opposite number Simon Humberstone soon levelled matters but missed from longer distance.
Blues had the territorial advantage in the first quarter, but a kick-and-chase by visiting full-back Steffan Evans earned his side a position in the corner, only for them to concede a penalty and lose the opportunity.
Wales tourist Jordan Williams, on the Scarlets' wing, was always looking for work, but one jinking run ended with an offload that went straight to home full-back Dan Fish and possible embarrassment was only averted by a Blues knock-on.
The Scarlets were handed a bonus when backchat following a penalty award moved it into kickable range, but Lewis was just wide. Humberstone, on the other hand, slotted over two straightforward kicks to put the Blues in front, but Lewis also found the target to narrow the gap to three points at the interval.
The game's first try then came two minutes into the second half. The Scarlets pack earned a scrum penalty which was kicked into the 22. Skipper Rob McCusker won the lineout, Lewis kicked high and flanker Sion Bennett claimed the ball to dive over, Lewis converting to make it a seven-pointer.
The Blues scrum again offended but Lewis missed a 50-yard kick and limped off soon afterwards to be replaced by Daniel Jones.
The biggest home cheer of the evening came when the Cardiff forwards bucked the trend and forced an infringement from the visiting pack. A kick to the flag was followed by a try for flanker Jenkins and the Blues were back in front even before Humberstone added the extras.
A neat dart by Blues' replacement fly-half Will Thomas led to a penalty, which he himself kicked, while Scarlets try-scorer Bennett was sent to the sin bin and the home side played down the clock for an impressive victory.
