Connacht pay for their sinbinnings

Cardiff Blues 30 Connacht 16:Connacht could not keep pace with league leaders Cardiff who pulled away in the second half to record their fifth win and secure a bonus point in last evening's clash.

Once again, however, the result did not reflect Connacht's endeavours in Arms Park. They had been within striking distance throughout the game - and indeed had taken a lead midway through the second half - but two rapid-fire tries from left wing Tom James in the final 10 minutes put paid to any hopes of a Connacht victory.

Crucial to the outcome was the sinbinning of two Connacht players - Ofisa Treviranus on 62 minutes and hooker John Fogarty.

Treviranus, once again a solid figure on the right wing, got himself caught in a ruck on the Connacht line when the visitors had look to have turned over possession. The resulting penalty put Cardiff back in front by 17-16, and three minutes later Fogarty was handed a yellow card for dissent after Connacht were deemed to be offside when trying to wrest possession from Jason Spice at the breakdown.

Replacement outhalf Nick McLeod added the penalty, and down to 13 men Connacht could not hold their shape. It was a cruel blow to Connacht who had Cardiff under all sorts of pressure early in the second half and they fully deserved their lead when replacement scrumhalf Conor O'Loughlin pushed himself over the line for Connacht's try and Donnelly converted.

Unfortunately bravery and commitment were cancelled by the two yellow cards and increasingly Connacht's started to lose their shape and composure. They gifted Cardiff the 71st minute try when Mel Deane and Matthews clashed in mid-air for a high ball and Jones was the grateful recipient. Then the Lions duo Martyn Williams and Shanklin set him up for his second and Cardiff's fourth on 75 minutes.

CARDIFF BLUES: B Blair, R Williams, T Selley, T Shanklin, T James, D Flanagan, R Rees, G Jenkins, G Williams, S Roberts, D Jones, P Tito, S Morgan, M Williams, M Lewis. Replacements: J Spice for Rees (52), N McLeod for Flanagan, G Thomas for James (53), T Filisi for S Williams (60), T Thomas for G Williams (67), B Davies for Tito (72), M Molitika for M Lewis (74).

CONNACHT: G Duffy, O Treviranus, M Deane, A Wynne, K Matthews, T Donnelly, C McPhillips, B Wilkinson, J Fogarty, R Morris, M Swift, D Gannon, R Ofisa, J O'Connor, J Muldoon (capt). Replacements: C O'Louhghlin for McPhillips (47), M McCathy for Swift (60), B McGovern for Morris (84).

Referee: P Fitzgibbon (IRFU).