The Scarlets kicked off the Welsh derby crunch match with the Blues fielding a very strong side knowing they needed a bonus point win to secure a semi final spot.

It was a lively start from both teams, and the Blues came close early on with Sweeney kicking through to the left and Daf James doing well to take the ball forward. Warburton charged the ball down on the Scarlets try-line but Dan Evans gathered and cleared.

The Scarlets came even closer with Knoyle throwing a long pass out to Lee Williams who chipped ahead and took Dafydd James on the outside for pace, however, he couldn't gather the ball cleanly only yards form the try-line, and the Blues scrambled to clear.

The Blues again came close when Gareth Thomas gathered stray ball just inside the Scarlets half and sprinted for the line. He was tackled just short by Williams and the Blues failed to recycle quickly enough to score. With 25minutes gone the score was still 0-0.

The deadlock was eventually broken following some Regan King magic. The Kiwi centre broke between Shanklin and Sweeny and with momentum the Scarlets carried the ball forward. It was eventually recycled and passed on to Priestland who had the power to force his way over and also added the conversion.

The Blues struck back instantly but as Sweeney dived over under the posts the ball was knocked from his hands. The Blues however had won a penalty and some good work by the forwards saw them carry the ball forward before Sweeney timed his pass perfectly for Shanklin to run onto and crash over for the try. Blair added the conversion.

It was an entertaining match and this time it was the Scarlets turn to respond. Again they spread the ball right and Lee Williams again chipped ahead and had the pace to beat the Blues defence and this time touch down. They came close again only minutes later with Dan Evans nearly scoring out on the right, but it was up to the forwards to claim the glory driving well from a lineout and David Lyons crashing over.

Half Time Scarlets 17 Cardiff Blues 7

The Blues started the second half strongly, driving forward within 5 yards of the try-line before wining a penalty and opting for the scrum. The ball was shipped out where Laulala showed his strength to force his way over. Blair converted.

The Blues added the third soon after. The Scarlets looked to spread the ball in the Blues twenty two but a stray pass landed in the lap of Casey Laulala who had the pace to sprint 70 yards and touch down under the posts for his second. Blair again converted.

The Blues got the fourth after Rush picked up from the scrum and kicked ahead into the Scarlets twenty two. Some slick hands interpassing between forwards and backs saw the ball move forward before Filise used his strength to force his way over. Blair maintained his 100% conversion record.

Priestland kicked two further penalties to bring the score to 23-28 with only ten minutes left but the Blues made sure of things with a late try. Shanklin and Filise did well to carry the ball forward and Tito popped up to dive over for the fifth Blues try of the day. Blair converted and added a further penalty to make sure of the win and a home semi final for the Blues.

Referee: Greg Garner

Yellow card

Cardiff Blues 15 Ben Blair 14 Gareth Thomas 13 Casey Laulala 12 Tom Shanklin 11 Dafydd James 10 Ceri Sweeney 9 Darren Allinson

8 Xavier Rush 7 Sam Warburton 68off 6 Maama Molitika 60off 5 Paul Tito (c) 4 Deiniol Jones 3 Gary Powell 75off 2 T Rhys Thomas 1 Taufa'ao Filise

16 Rhys James 17 Scott Andrews 75on 18 Ian George 19 Scott Morgan 68on 20 Andries Pretorius 60on 21 Tom Slater 22 Sam Norton Knight 23 Chris Czekaj

Scarlets 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Lee Williams, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Regan King 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Tavis Knoyle,

1 Phil John, 2 Ken Owens, 3 Deacon Manu, 4 Lou Reed, 5 Damian Welch, 6 Rob McCusker, 7 Josh Turnbull, 8 David Lyons (capt).

16 Iestyn Thomas, 17 Emyr Phillips, 18 Rhys Thomas, 19 Vernon Cooper, 20 Johnathan Edwards, 21 Martin Roberts, 22 Daniel Newton 23 Joe Ajuwa.

Cardiff Blues

Try Shanklin x 1 Laulala x 2 Filise x 1 Tito x 1
Penalty
Con Blair x 5
D/Goal

Scarlets

Try Priestland x 1 Williams x 1 Lyons x 1
Penalty Priestland x 1
Con Priestland x 1
D/Goal