Celtic League/Cardiff Blues 30 Connacht 12: Coach Michael Bradley admits Connacht were beaten by a better side on Saturday, but he is confident of a winning finish to their Celtic League season.
Connacht led the Blues 12-9 at half-time at the Arms Park , but the in-form Welsh region moved up a gear in the second spell to run away with their sixth straight league victory.
"They upped their game in the second half and we missed a few first-up tackles," Bradley said.
"Once they got some patience into their game, we were in a bit of trouble. They're a quality side, with a back line that can be very dangerous if you show them a gap.
"We had a couple of opportunities to counterattack, but it just didn't happen for us on the night."
Bradley's side anchor the league table, but they are only one point behind Glasgow, and the Connacht coach is confident of finishing the season with a flourish - starting with Edinburgh on Friday night.
"We've got three home games and we're looking forward to them," he said.
"We've won the last five at the Sportsground, so we're keen to get back there and get something out of this season."
Blues coach David Young said his side had given themselves a chance of snatching a shock title victory, but admits they have a tough finish to their campaign.
"Winning the title is still an option, but it's not an easy path," he said. "I believe we have to win every game, but it's not something that is beyond us. It's a cliche, but we'll just take one game at a time."
The Blues have a tough finish to the season, playing the other three sides in the top four on the table - Ulster and Munster away and Leinster at home.
"The Irish provinces are taking the Celtic League more seriously," Young added. "They're putting a bigger focus on the tournament and you can see that with the sort of teams they're sending away from home."
Mark McHugh's trusty boot gave Connacht a lead at half-time, but his opposite number, Nick Macleod, slotted three goals to restrict the damage to 12-9.
Blues flanker Robin Sowden-Taylor put his side on the front foot with a fine run in the opening minute of the second spell, and Connacht were behind when Australian centre Marc Stcherbina jinked through three defenders to score near the posts.
Quick hands from a suddenly confident Blues backline gave Lions prop Gethin Jenkins a rare try, and Macleod gave his side some much-needed breathing space with a sideline conversion.
Connacht's replacement scrum-half Tom Tierney was sinbinned for a professional foul, and although Stcherbina secured the victory with his second try, the Blues failed to get a bonus point.
They are third on the table as they eye the other three Irish provinces in the end-of-season race for the title, and Saturday's victory guaranteed their place in the European Cup next season.
CARDIFF BLUES: R Williams (capt); C Czekaj, M Stcherbina, T Davies, C Morgan; N Macleod, M Phillips; J Yapp, R Thomas, G Jenkins; D Jones, R Sidoli; K Schubert, R Sowden-Taylor, X Rush. Replacements: N Robinson for Morgan, M Williams for Sidoli (both 58 mins), S Roberts for Thomas (72 mins), L Thomas for Williams (74 mins).
CONNACHT: P Warwick; M Mostyn, J Hearty, G Williams, C McPhillips; M McHugh, C Keane; D McFarland, J Fogarty, S Knoop; C Short, A Farley (capt); M Swift, J Muldoon, C Rigney. Replacements: D Gannon for Short (19 mins), M Lacey for Muldoon (29-31 mins), T Tierney for Keane (36 mins), M Lacey for Farley (54 mins), D Slemen for Warwick (63 mins), A Clarke for MacFarland (72 mins), T Robinson for McPhillips (80 mins).
Referee: Andy Macpherson (Scotland).
