Neil Jenkins produced a command performance as he kicked Cardiff to their second priceless European Cup victory over Saracens inside seven days.
Jenkins, who kept a lunchtime appointment at Buckingham Palace to receive an MBE, flew back from London in a helicopter. He finished with a tournament record-equalling eight penalties, putting Cardiff in pole position to reach the quarter-finals from Pool Three, while Premiership leaders Saracens now face an early exit.
The visitors played half the second period reduced to 14 men as their international locks Scott Murray and Danny Grewcock were sin-binned by Italian referee Antonio Lombardi for separate offences.
Murray, walked in the 45th minute for a high tackle on home hooker Jon Humphreys. But Grewcock was fortunate not to be sent off when he high-tackled Cardiff centre Jamie Robinson recklessly 13 minutes from time. Cardiff also had two players sent to the cooler - prop Spencer John and South African centre Pieter Muller - yet Jenkins' prodigious right boot meant that the Welsh club were never in danger of losing.
Saracens full back Thomas Castaignede, who endured a miserable evening from start to finish, and fly-half Duncan McRae somehow contrived to miss five kicks between them from straightforward positions, allowing Cardiff unnecessary breathing space.
Saracens had the satisfaction of scoring the game's solitary try - centre Kevin Sorrell powering over on 23 minutes - yet Cardiff knew that every time the visitors infringed, out-half Jenkins would inevitably punish them. Castaignede briefly threatened a Saracens revival, finally finding his range through penalties on 49 and 54 minutes, but it proved of only temporary concern for Cardiff, who finished much the stronger side.
Two more Jenkins penalties, his eighth and final goal arriving after Grewcock felled Jamie Robinson, and Saracens' night was summed up deep into injury-time when McRae sliced the penalty from straight in front of the posts.
Cardiff's victory means that Welsh clubs boast a 75 per cent success rate in this season's Heineken Cup, winning 12 out of 16 matches, but England's troubles continue.
Five of their six European challengers lost last week, and Saracens have now got another busy weekend off to the worst possible start.
CARDIFF: R Williams, Walne, Robinson, Muller, G Thomas, Jenkins, Howley, A. Lewis, Humphreys, John, Quinnell, Voyle, Baugh, M Williams, E Lewis. Pens: Jenkins 8.
SARACENS: Castaignede, Sparg, Johnston, Sorrell, Luger, McRae, Bracken, Flatman, Russell, White, Murray, Grewcock, Chesney, Hill, Diprose. Tries: Sorrell. Pens: Castaignede 2, McRae.
Referee: A Lombardi (Italy).
