By Lestyn
May 3 2004

Cardiff kept their European hopes alive by thrashing a depleted and somewhat disheartened Munster side, running in nine tries in a comprehensive 60-19 victory. Away at Leinster the Ospreys could only scrape a draw, to leave the matter of qualification wide open.

Irelands decision not to base European qualification on how their provinces fair in the Celtic League, has hardly increased Leinster and Munster’s hunger for the tournament.

Sooner or later the IRFU’s “I’m alright Jack” attitude will catch up with them, when they come to the realisation that they need more than a minimum of six competitive Heineken cup games a season to prepare their internationals, financially also.

This weekend’s action has setup a thrilling end to the Season, after Cardiff’s hammering of Munster and the Ospreys hard fought draw at Donnybrook against Leinster.

Lyn Jones’s side may have been helped after both captain Brian O’Driscoll and Girvan Dempsey pulled out just before kick off for the home team, but they still surrendered a seven point half time lead, before Leinster scrum half Brian O'Meara matched Gavin Henson kick for kick.

Undoubtedly give the Blues a boost with two rounds left to play this season, now only by only four points from the all important fourth Heineken cup spot.

Llanelli buoyed by fellow title chasers Ulster failing to secure a bonus point in Borders, managed to gain the full five on offer in front of decent sized crowd at Wrexham in an unconvincing win over Glasgow, who were fuming with referee Donal Courteney after Selesi Finau wasn’t cautioned after a typically high tackle.

A try two minutes into stoppage time from Craig Warlow allowed the Dragons to cling onto their hopes of taking home the silverware. Percy Montgomery was in typically outstanding from for the Gwent region, who despite having two men sin binned in Galway never looked in danger of slipping up.

The Warriors secured Heineken cup rugby for next season, after a storming second half, which saw them, take the initiative with two tries shortly after the break.


Results:

Friday 31/04
Cardiff Blues 60-14 Munster
The Borders 15-19 Ulster
Edinburgh 19-30 Celtic Warriors
Leinster Lions 16-16 N-S Ospreys

Saturday 01/05
Connacht 14-32 Newport Gwent Dragons
Llanelli Scarlets 36-26 Glasgow

Table:

1	Llanelli Scarlets	20	14	1	5	10	68
2	Ulster	20	14	0	6	11	67
3	Gwent Dragons	20	15	0	5	6	66
4	Celtic Warriors	20	12	0	8	9	57
5	Neath- Swansea Ospreys	20	11	1	8	6	52
6	Cardiff Blues	20	10	0	10	8	48
7	Connacht	20	8	2	10	8	44
8	Leinster	20	8	1	11	8	42
9	Munster	20	8	0	12	10	42
10	Edinburgh	20	8	0	12	8	40
11	Glasgow	20	5	1	14	4	26
12	Borders	20	4	0	16	6	22