The games also saw the debut of Scottish outside half Dan Parks who showed his worth early on with a huge touch finder.

His Halfback partner Richie Rees was looking lively with a good break and deft hands with Czekaj also showing his strength breaking through tackles.

The Bleus came close to scoring when Molitika turned the ball over and deft hands by Parks and Laulala put James into space. However, he just failed to power over. The Blues didn't have to wait long with Molitika crashing over. Parks converted off the post.

Dragons Full back Matt Evans was shown a yellow card but despite being down to 14 men Leigh Halfpenny had to use his pace, covering back well with Aled Brew ready to pounce on the kick ahead.

Former Blues Sowden Taylor and Scott Morgan were proving to be a nuisance around the fringes of the rucks. Despite the lack of points it was an entertaining opening half, with Parks orchestrating moves in the backs for the Blues, but despite the endeavour no points came.

Half time Cardiff Blues 7 Newport Gwent dragons 0

The Blues second try came 8 minutes into the second half. Following a Blues scrum in the Dragons twenty two, they spread the ball left where Czekaj again did well to stand up in the tackle, Shanklin was on hand to rip the ball out and dive over.

Tovey slotted a penalty for the Dragons to bring the score to 12-3 before both sides made a number of substitutions. James Jones showed Ali McKenzie and Scott Andrews yellow cards and as so often happens when a number of changes are made the game lost its shape and intensity.

The biggest cheer of the night came when Martyn Williams left the filed in the 68th minute and it was made clear how much respect and affection the Welsh rugby public has for this great player.

Late in the game Casey Laulala powered his way through the midfield to come within a yard of the tryline with, Bradley Davies nearly crossing. The try came soon after when Lloyd Williams squeezed over. Parks converted in to crown a great debut for the Fly half.

Cardiff Blues 15. Chris Czekaj 14. Leigh Halfpenny 13. Casey Laulala 12. Tom Shanklin 11. Tom James 10. Dan Parks 9. Richie Rees
8. Xavier Rush 7. Martyn Williams 6. Maama Molitika 5. Paul Tito (c) 4. Bradley Davies 3. Scott Andrews 2. Rhys Williams 1. Tom Davies

Replacements 16. Sam Hobbs 17. Kristian Dacey 18. John Yapp 19. Deiniol Jones 20. James Down 21. Tom Brown 22. Michael Paterson 23. Sam Warburton 24. Lloyd Williams 25. Ceri Sweeney 26. Gavin Evans 27. Richard Mustoe

Newport Gwent Dragons 15. Matt Evans 14. Will Harries 13. Tom Riley 12. David Bishop 11 Aled Brew 10. Jason Tovey 9. Jonathan Evans

1. Hugh Gustafson 2. Tom Willis (Capt) 3. Ben Castle 4. Adam Jones 5. Scott Morgan 6. Joe Bearman 7. Robin Sowden Taylor 8. Hugo Ellis

Replacements 16. Steve Jones 17. Nigel Hall 18. Pat Palmer 19. Ali Mckenzie 20. Adam Brown 21. Danny Lydiate 22. Lewis Evans 23. Jevon Groves 24. Matthew Jones 25. Tom Cooper 26 Adam Hughes 27. Nicky Griffiths 28. Matthew Pewtner

Cardiff Blues
Tries Molitika x 1 Shanklin x 1 L Williams x 1
Pen
Con Parks x 2
D/G

Newport Gwent Dragons

Tries
Pen Tovey x 1
Con
D/G

Yellow Card: Matt Evans, Ali McKenzie, Scott Andrews
Attendance 10,016