Smash hit

The final act of the first half was a superb bulldozing run by Phillips over 40 metres, with the Ospreys finding it almost impossible to halt him. But they did so and the half came to an end with Marshall coming off injured and the Ospreys down by a significant margin.

The visitors came out early for the second half. They restarted with renewed confidence and earned a rapid reward with their first try of the game after only nine minutes of the second period. No 8 Tiatia touched down in the corner having broken through a tackle by Gary Powell.

Tiatia had been strongly evident a few minutes earlier when Phillips managed to stop him charging through on the opposite side of the pitch, but, having gained his five points, Tiatia had provided the Ospreys with a considerable lift and a genuine platform to build on for the rest of the game.

At the start of the final quarter, the Ospreys brought on James Hook at centre, and with his first touch he played his part in the Ospreys’ second try.

As the Ospreys headed for the left corner, Hook’s pass to Nikki Walker set up a scoring delivery to Ian Evans, who made a determined surge for the line for the touchdown.

Although Henson missed the conversion attempt — his first failure of the night — the Ospreys were now only six points behind, and with a reasonable chance of catching the fast-starting Blues.

Cardiff finally regained a more challenging position on the pitch in denying the Ospreys further quick opportunities, and Nick Robinson was wide with a drop-goal attempt as the Blues chased further points.

But after 66 minutes, Blair kicked his final penalty to take the Blues to 30-21, ending the considerable points tally of the full-back who had switched to the wing because of the club’s injury problems.

Henson gained the final points of the match with a penalty for the Ospreys to close the gap to six points once more, but the Blues had done just enough to hold on for victory.

Star Man: Ben Blair (Cardiff Blues)

Cardiff Blues: N Macleod; B Blair, J Robinson, T Shanklin (D Hewitt 19-24min), C Czekaj; N Robinson, M Phillips; G Jenkins, R Thomas, G Powell (T Filise 67min), B Davies (B White 75min), D Jones, S Morgan, X Rush (capt), M Williams.

Ospreys: S Terblanche (L Byrne 50min); N Walker, S Parker (J Hook 61min), A Bishop, S Williams; G Henson, J Marshall (J Spice 40min); D Jones (capt), B Williams, A Jones (C Griffiths 74min), B Cockbain (R Jones 58min), I Evans, A Wyn Jones, F Tiatia, R Pugh.

Yellow card: Cardiff Blues: Phillips (80min)

Red card: Cardiff Blues: Williams (80min)

Tries: Blair 10, 22, N Robinson 7

Conversions: Blair (3). Penalties: Blair (3)

Tries: Tiatia 49, Evans 62

Conversion: Henson. Penalties: Henson (4)

Referee: T Hayes (WRU). Attendance: 11,976

Barry Newcombe at Cardiff Arms Park