Cardiff Blues 22 Connacht 15:Connacht outscored Cardiff by two tries to one but they were punished by the boot of Ben Blair at the Cardiff Arms Park.
Eric Elwood’s side left with a losing bonus-point, thanks to scores from Tiernan O’Halloran and Dave Moore, which moved them ahead of the Dragons who lost at Ravenhill.
Connacht outhalf Niall O'Connor kicked an early penalty for a scrum offence, but New Zealander Blair, in his first league outing for 16 months, responded with two of his own before the visitors claimed the half's only try.
The pack ensured possession in the Blues 22 and a long pass found left wing O'Halloran in splendid isolation to trot over. O'Connor converted superbly from the touchline.
A high tackle by Irish prop Ronan Loughney on home flanker Maama Molitika might have merited more than just a penalty, but Blair exacted his own punishment and a fourth kick gave the Blues an interval lead.
O'Connor was just short with a long-range attempt, but Blair was on target to open the second half scoring before the Blues at last put together a decent move to create a try.
Veteran flanker Martyn Williams, in his first outing since breaking an arm in September, burst into the Connacht 22 and Tom James, scorer of four tries last weekend against Harlequins, was tackled short of the line.
The ball was quickly recycled and a short pass enabled prop Sam Hobbs to force his way under the post. Blair converted.
Connacht should have hit back, but after skipper Gavin Duffy broke through with two men outside him, the final pass went to ground. It was typical of the poor handling by both sides. But the Irish province had the last word when O'Halloran caught an inch-perfect kick by Duffy inside his own half and raced down the line.
As he was tackled by last defender Chris Czekaj, the winger passed inside for replacement scrumhalf Moore to touch down for an unconverted try and a bonus point.
Ospreysovercame a raft of international absences to close the gap on leaders Leinster to 10 and tighten their grip on second spot with a 15-14 win over Edinburgh at Murrayfield.
It was a workmanlike effort against an Edinburgh side also suffering with nine regulars missing.
The visitors, without no fewer than 19, had tries from Richard Hibbard and Eli Walker, while Dan Biggar contributed the rest with a drop goal and a conversion.
Edinburgh led 11-8 at half-time thanks to a try from 21-year-old centre Dougie Fife on his first appearance. They also had three penalties from Phil Godman, but a miss on the hour from the international outhalf was to prove costly.
