Cardiff Blues 38 Aironi 0
Thursday 24 November 7.30pm kick off
Dan Parks got some early points for the Blues with two well taken penalties but Aironi did threaten with some slick handling in the backs. However, some well timed physical tackles by Gavin Evans and Dafydd Hewitt in the centre kept them at bay.
The Blues were also putting some moves together but frustratingly failed to build on any territory that they gained. Aironi did threaten the try-line with a driving lineout but Parks did well to knock the ball out of the attacker’s hand and clear the danger.
Parks extended the lead with two penalties just after the half hour mark, but the game hadn’t come to life yet and badly needed a try.
Half time Cardiff Blues 12 Aironi 0
Having secured a 12-point cushion, the Blues went for the try from the restart, kicking a penalty for a lineout and driving for the try-line (Sinoti was yellow carded for the shoulder charge). When the ball came out from the ruck, they spread it left and Laulala, who had come on for the injured Czekaj, crossed for the try. Parks was just wide with the conversion.
Naas Olivier missed two straightforward penalties for Aironi and they had half a chance of a try when Parks’ kick was charged down but Tom James did well to track back and clear the danger.
The second try of the evening came when Dafydd Hewitt did exceptionally well to round the defenders from 40 yards out and sprint in to touch down under the posts, Parks adding the extras.
The Blues secured the bonus point soon after. Gavin Evans did well to gather an Aironi kick and some slick hands by Trevett put Tom James in the gap to sprint in and Parks was again accurate with the boot. The fourth try came from a driving lineout, with Marc Breeze, who had come on moments earlier, being pushed over. Sweeney, who had come on for Parks, converted.
The bonus point was secure and the Blues had also recorded the biggest winning margin at the Cardiff City Stadium to take them third in the table.
Cardiff Blues
Tries Laulala x 1 Hewitt x 1 James x 1 Breeze x 1
Pen Parks x 4
Con Parks x 2 Sweeney x 1
D/G
Aironi
Tries
Pen
Con
D/G
Yellow Card: Sinoti
Attendance: 4,557
Cardiff Blues 15 Chris Czekaj (38off) 14 Richard Mustoe 13 Gavin Evans 12 Dafydd Hewitt 11 Tom James 10 Dan Parks (65off) 9 Richie Rees (68off)
8 Maama Molitika 7 Josh Navidi 6 Michael Paterson (66off) 5 Paul Tito (C) 4 Macauley Cook (66on) 3 Taufaao Filise (65on) 2 T Rhys Thomas (64off) 1 John Yapp (54off)
16 Marc Breeze (64on) 17 Nathan Trevett (54on) 18 Sam Hobbs (60on) 19 Matthew Screech (66on) 20 Ellis Jenkins (66on) 21 Lewis Jones (68on) 22 Ceri Sweeney (65on) 23 Casey Laulala (38on)
Aironi 15 Ruggero Trevisan; 14 Giulio Toniolatti, 13 Sinoti Sinoti, 12 Gilberto Pavan, 11 Giovanbattista Venditti; 10 Naas Olivier, 9 Tito Tebaldi;
8 Josh Sole, 7 Filippo Ferrarini, 6 Nicola Cattina; 5 George Biagi, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys (cap); 3 Fabio Staibano, 2 Tommaso D’Apice, 1 Alberto De Marchi.
Replacements: 16 Fabio Ongaro, 17 Salvatore Perugini, 18 Lorenzo Romano, 19 Joshua Furno, 20 Frans Viljoen, 21 Tyson Keats, 22 Roberto Quartaroli, 23 Matteo Pratichetti.