Cardiff Blues 30 Munster 20
Nicky Robinson produced an inspired performance as Cardiff Blues shrugged off their recent poor form with a deserved victory over Munster tonight.
Welsh international outhalf Robinson, making his first Celtic League start of an injury-ravaged season, was the key man as the Blues claimed a win important to their Heineken Cup hopes at the Arms Park.
Robinson set the Blues on their way with an early drop goal and try and American number eight Kort Schubert also weighed in with two touchdowns.
Munster rallied as the home side had two sin-binned in the second half but they fell short. Their misery was compounded by the loss of influential Kiwi full-back Christian Cullen with a shoulder injury that could keep him out for a while.
The Blues started well, piling on the pressure early and they were rewarded when Robinson dropped a superb left-footed goal.
Munster were soon level, former Cardiff outhalf Paul Burke kicking a penalty after Blues acting captain Craig Quinnell offended at a ruck.
The Blues were in control, however, and a brilliant break by full-back Nick Macleod put them in position to earn a short-range penalty.
They opted for a scrum and, when the ball was finally spun out, Robinson ducked inside a tackle to go over despite the attentions of Marcus Horan.
Lee Thomas converted confidently, repeating the feat when Schubert pounced after charging down a clearance kick by Munster scrum-half Mike Prendergast.
A scissors move between Shaun Payne and Anthony Horgan sent the Irishmen into the home 22 for the first time and Burke put over a penalty to end the first half.
Thomas gave the Blues a flying start to the second period with another penalty, but Munster responded with a try for prop Horan following a driving line-out. Burke converted.
A last-ditch tackle by Thomas seemed to have saved the day for the Blues as Munster swept downfield, but he failed to roll away afterwards and Scottish referee Mike Hall deemed it worthy of a yellow card.
But the Blues survived some torrid exchanges on their own line before taking play to the other end, where Schubert caught a line-out throw and dived over. In the absence of Thomas, Macleod added the extras.
Munster hit back again and Blues flanker Robin Sowden-Taylor was the second to be sin-binned. Hardly had he left the field than Munster hooker Frankie Sheahan forced his way over and Burke's kick cut the gap to seven points.
But it was the Blues who grabbed the only other points with the excellent Thomas slotting over a final penalty.
PA