Ulster 24 Blues 33
With The Scarlets hitting self destruct in the final minutes of their Wets Wales derby at the Liberty Stadium, there was a feeling that this weekend may be a good one for the capitol region, and indeed it was!
The Blues ran out comprehensive winners at Ravenhill, with Ulster's score frankly flattering for a side who barely threatened the visitors after the opening 10 minutes. Despite the late withdrawal of Ben Blair, the Blues fielded one of the strongest sides they've been able to put out all domestic season, with Jamie Roberts, Gethin Jenkins and Leigh Halfpenny among some of the top class players finally returning to the Magners League.
The difference in pedigree was oozing through Cardiff, Casey Laulala in particular showing what a classy act he is in scoring, and then setting up the Blues two first half tries. His 60 metre interception try highlighted his ability to read a game, before an excellent delayed offload to Rush allowed his fellow Kiwi a run in for a fine try.
Daf Hewitt came on for Laulala in the second half and scored a neat solo try after receiving the ball in a fairly innocuous position. The youngster has really stepped up this year, and if we're being honest, has probably had a better season for his club than Jamie Roberts. Hewitt really is being to look to business following a few years as a fringe player, he's looking the perfect replacement for Tom Shanklin.
As if that wasn't good enough for the Blues, the Easter weekend still had one extra surprise for Dai Young's men, as the Dragons failed to take anything away from their trip to Glasgow, meaning they are now completely catchable.
Cardiff now sit 8 points ahead of the Scarlets, but know with 3 games still to play they need at least one win to guarantee their European status for next season.
While the pessimists among us will cite tough fixtures away to the Scarlets and Dragons, before a tricky final game at home to Munster means qualification is by no means in the bag, the more confident fans will be looking up the table knowing we could yet make a late surge for that 4th play-off spot, and why not!
Despite Glasgow winning today, they missed out on an elusive bonus point, while fellow play-off chasing Scots Edinburgh lost to Connacht on Friday night.
The Ospreys have a very difficult end of season run in, including a trip to Ravenhill just 3 days after their HEC QF match with Biarritz, before games against Munster and Leinster also away.
It could yet be a double-trophy winning season for Dai Young and the Blues, but equally, we could find ourselves the worst side in Wales by mid-May...
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