The early stages also saw the rain starting to poor down and a few punches exchanged by Scott Morgan and Luke Charteris. A good up 'n under by Nick Robinson saw Shanklin tackle Kevin Morgan who knocked the ball on just outside the Dragons twenty two. The Blues passed wide from the scrum and excellent work by Czekaj down the left saw them awarded with a penalty that Blair kick just wide.

Minutes later Gareth Cooper broke down the left and an excellent chip saw Nathan Brew speed down the left, hack the ball on and touch down for a try.

From the restart a penalty kick to the corner by Blues saw them drive forward from a line out and Xavier Rush power over for the Blues first try. Blair was unlucky with the touchline conversion hitting the upright.

The Blues built on the good work when they broke in to the Dragons half and awarded with another penalty. Blair once again was unlucky with his attempt.

The first half saw great battles amongst the forwards with James Goode doing well stealing line out bal but it was Sweeney who had the last word, extending the Dragons lead with a penalty just before the break.

HALF TIME NEWPORT GWENT DRAGONS 11 CARDIFF BLUES 5

The Blues started the second half well with slick hands from Nicky Robinson releasing Tom Shanklin who sprinted up to the Dragons twenty two. A quick penalty by Rush saw the Blues driving even further forward but Emerick knocked the ball on when Jamie Robinson tried to release his man. The Dragons however kept them out and worked their way up to the Blues half and it was only a last gasp sliding tackle by Nicky Robinson that prevented a try.

The Dragons were awarded a penalty for an infringement in the scrum and Sweeney once again converted to bring the score to 14-5. A lovely floated pass by Robinson released Macleod down the right and the Blues were within 10 metres of the Dragons try-line. They drove from the lineout but as the ball was spread wide it was knocked on and the Dragons cleared. The Blues however kept the pressure on, pinning the Dragons down in their own half. It was only a Gareth Cooper kick from a turnover that eventually eased the pressure on the home side.

A kick through by Jamie Robinson saw the Blues work their way upfield again and good pressure by Bradley Davies saw them awarded a scrum on the Dragon 5m line. Emerick was awarded a yellow card for lying on toip of the ball and Blair stepped up to convert the penalty to bring Blues to within 6 point of the Dragons.

Excellent break by Fairhurst and Czekaj saw the ball released out to Bradley Davies he passed inside to White who powered over for the try to bring the Blues to within a point of Newport side. Blair stepped up for the conversion and from a difficult angle just struck the ball wide.

It was a nail biting last five minutes with the Blues attacking but the Dragons did just enough to hold on to their one point lead.