Celtic League/Munster 12 Cardiff Blues 19:Cardiff's greater physique and experience told against a spirited Munster at Musgrave Park last night, the first Magners League game on Leeside for five months, attracting a sell-out 8,000 crowd.
And Munster's injuries woes worsened as well, props Darragh Hurley and Federico Pucciariello and utility back Shaun Payne leaving the game with a variety of ailments, leading to uncontested scrums late on.
The Welsh pack pressurised the home side at scrum and lineout and Nick Robinson pinged Munster back with monster kicks on a treacherous surface.
Cardiff's early dominance was reflected with the first Blair penalty from 40 metres on eight minutes. Xavier Rush wrapped up Mick O'Driscoll in a tackle and Munster were penalised for not releasing.
Munster eventually settled, having spent the opening quarter on the back foot, but Cardiff's opening try, after 26 minutes, came from a rare Munster visit to the Cardiff 22.
A handling error was seized upon by right wing Tom James, who hacked down the pitch. Eoghan Hickey couldn't control the slippery ball, allowing James to gather and race in from 30 metres. Blair converted for 10-0.
Munster's eagerness yielded more spilled passes and added to the frustration. Another infringement at the breakdown offered Blair his second opportunity from 40 metres and he made it 13-0 approaching the interval.
Munster's response on the resumption offered some encouragement. Half-time replacement Lifeimi Mafi injected life into their attack with a barnstorming run, carried on by Trevor Halstead and the lively Tim McGann.
Cardiff infringed in a ruck and Hickey slotted over a 25-metre penalty from a central position.
Blair's third penalty, on 51 minutes, restored Cardiff's 13-point advantage, quenching Munster's early second-half fire and seemingly retaking control.
Hickey's second penalty from the same spot as his opener cut the deficit, and a third penalty after 62 minutes made it a seven-point game.
Indeed, it could have been better for Munster after Tomás O'Leary bravely blocked Robinson's attempted clearance only to stumble with the try line in sight.
Cardiff were quite happy to concede a penalty for Jamie Robinson's cynical killing of the ball, earning him a yellow card.
Munster could not exploit their numerical advantage and Cardiff held on for a deserved win, though Hickey's fourth penalty ensured a bonus point.
MUNSTER: C Cullen; S Payne, B Murphy, T Halstead, J Kelly (captain); E Hickey, T O'Leary; D Hurley, F Sheahan, F Pucciariello; C Wyatt, M O'Driscoll; A Quinlan, J O'Sullivan, T McGann. Replacements: l Mafi for Payne (half-time), D Ryan for Wyatt (46 mins), T Buckley for Hurley (injured 51 mins), M Melbourne for Pucciariello (injured 68 mins), D Fogarty for Sheahan (77 mins).
CARDIFF BLUES: B Blair; T James, J Robinson, M Stcherbina, C Czekaj; N Robinson, M Phillips; T Filise, R Thomas, G Powell; D Jones, R Sidoli; S Morgan, X Rush (captain), R Shellard. Replacements: M Luveitasau for James (47 mins), M Lewis for Filise (71 mins), B White for Shellard (77 mins), N Macleod for Stcherbina (79 mins).
Referee: M Changleng (Scotland).
