In 2002-2003 season, Cardiff suffered a Heineken white-wash losing all 6 games. That poor run continued through to 03-04, when after 10 successive European defeats, they finally registered a victory at home against Biarritz. Most of you reading this article will remember this only too well, as the once prestigious Cardiff Rugby Football Club became the laughing stock of Welsh and Northern hemisphere rugby.

But remarkably, just 5 seasons later and they sit at the top of the pile going into the Quarter Finals, and have become the bookies 2^nd favourites to win the competition behind Munster.

With a total of 27 points Cardiff equal the Scarlets record haul, however in scoring 23 tries along the way, the capital take the mantle of most successful Welsh side in the pool stages. Plus, last night saw them break their own record for highest Welsh win in the HEC, the previous total had been set in the opening round of this years competition against Calvisano away.

In case you can't tell, I'm loving every minute of this. And for those of you who were there for the barren years, watching on in horror as they lost to Leeds away, getting nilled at Welford Road and Gary Powell's red card in the Millennium Stadium rematch, I hope you're enjoying it too.

As for last nights match, despite conceding an early charge down try to the visiting Italians, the victory was never in any doubt. 11,203 fans turned up to see the home side destroy Calvisano, who despite a plucky attacking performance, finish the campaign without a single point to their name.

Without ever really getting into third gear, Cardiff went through the phases with an incredibly dominant midfield display to score 9 tries, conceding two - the charge down from Nicky Robinson's clearance, and a length-of-the-field try following a knock on - other than which, they never looked like being breached.

There were two tries each from Thomas', Gareth and namesake Rhys, while Ben Blair, Leigh Halfpenny, Xavier Rush, Martyn Williams and Maama Molitika all crossed once. Blair converted 7 of 9 and added one penalty for a total personal tally of 22, and a final score of 62-20.

There were magnificent performances from Ben Blair, Shanklin, Roberts, Andy Powell and Martyn Williams, while Maama Molitika worked unbelievably hard and fully deserved his try at the end.

Having read all the forum posts in the last 5 years on Nicky Robinson, I believed Friday's match showed just how good he can be. Nicky's game management was spot on finding excellent field positions with his kicks, while providing a real attacking platform for Roberts and Shanklin with a host of perfectly timed passes. There were still errors in his game, but it shows how good the home-grown fly half can be when on form, though I'm sure this paragraph will be quoted on the messageboard over the next few days.

As for who they will face in the next round, it's almost too complicated to call, but it'll be the second best second placed side (if that makes any sense!) At the moment of writing, pre-Ospreys match, it could still be any one of Leinster, Wasps, Leicester, Ospreys, Bath or Toulouse.

Following the match, Head Coach Dai Young told the BBC;

"We made a little bit hard work of it, but we had to give Calvisano a bit of credit because they had a lot of possession and a lot of territory, especially early doors. But I thought their defence was excellent and we really had to work hard to get the scores we needed. On occasions we were a bit sloppy and tried the miracle ball - but nine tries, you've got to be happy with that."

Blues (22) 62
Tries: G Thomas 2, Blair, Halfpenny , Rush, R Thomas 2, M Williams, M Molitika

Cons: Blair 7
Pen: Blair

Calvisano (10) 20
Tries: Gonzalo , Pratichetti
Cons: Fraser 2
Pens: Fraser 2

Blair, Halfpenny, Shanklin, J Roberts, G Thomas, N Robinson, Spice, Jenkins, G Williams, G Powell, D Jones, Morgan, Molitika, M Williams, A Powell.

J. Robinson for Shanklin (56), Sweeney for N. Robinson (56), Allinson for Spice (70), R Thomas for G Williams (48), Yapp for G Powell (52), Davies for D Jones (48), Rush for A Powell (41).

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