Two interception tries and the boot of Ben Blair was enough to see off their fierce rivals, who failed to cross in the fast paced encounter.

However there was potentially devastating news for centre Tom Shanklin, who suffered a dislocated shoulder and now faces an anxious wait to see whether he's fit for the Lion's first match in three weeks time.

The Blues got off to a flyer firing out of the starting blocks, clearly determined to put the Heineken shoot out misery behind them. A Ben Blair penalty inside the 5^th minute was due reward for their early attacking intent.

Dragon's prop Adam Black was sent to the sin bin just three minutes later, with the forward blatantly kicking the ball out of a ruck with his side very much on the back foot. Blair slotted the penalty for 6-0.

Newport-Gwent enjoyed a brief period in the home 22, but turnover saw Ritchie Rees box kick the ball away, unfortunately straight into the arms of Jason Tovey. The hotly tipped young fly half cum full back took his time to slot a dramatic drop goal, keeping his side in the early hunt.

Tovey was in action again shortly after, making a try saving tackle on Tom Shanklin with just 5 metres to the line.

But Tovey was nowhere to be seen when Shanklin picked out a Sean Connor interception, racing over 50 metres to touch down between the posts for the games first try with only a few minutes left of the half.

The Dragon's got a penalty back before half time when Felise was adjudged offside, Tovey bringing his side back to within 7 points.

Half Time

Cardiff Blues 13
N-G Dragons 6

Both sides knew the next score would be crucial, but you could see frustration kicking in for both teams with some poor handling errors beginning to creep into the game.

But once again, the boot of Blair made all the difference after 53 minutes, the Kiwi making the difference 10 points to keep the Blues noses in front.

James Arlidge exchanged penalties with Blair as the game ticked over, but the Japanese international missed an opportunity to put his side ahead on 64 minutes.

But as the game drew to its climax, Blues winger Tom James found himself yellow carded for slowing down the ball in a ruck. Arlidge converted the resulting penalty as the Dragons got back within 7 points.

But any chance of a Newport comeback was laid quickly to bed when Jamie Robinson intercepted to run in Cardiff's second of the evening.

Things looked to have gone perfectly well for the home side until the 77^th minute when Tom Shanklin burst through the tackle of Tovey, but stayed down holding a dislocated shoulder. The Lions tourist looked in agony as it was popped back into place, and he must now hope he recovers in time to travel to South Africa in under a month.

Shanklin's previous Lion's tour was brought to an early end, injuring himself before the first test.

Final Score

Cardiff Blues 26
N-G Dragons 12

theArmsPark.co.uk's Man of the Match - Gethin Jenkins
Not only the best prop in the world at the moment, but possibly the best player on the planet. Gethin's performances since Christmas have been absolutely world class, and Wednesday night was no different. He looked great in the loose, making some massive hits, but also won so much ball at the breakdown. Shanks and Tom James both looked good as well, but Gethin was for me the stand out performer.

Blair, G. Thomas, J. Robinson, Shanklin, James, Sweeney, Rees, Jenkins, T. Thomas, Filise, D. Jones, Morgan, Molitika, Sowden-Taylor, A. Powell, Rush.

Mustoe for G. Thomas (21), G. Williams for T. Thomas (49), Yapp for Filise (68), Rush for A. Powell (60), Davies for Rush (68). N. Robinson for Ben Blair (71), Allinson for Rees (71).

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