Cardiff Blues 58 Connacht 0: The relief felt by Connacht after the first win of the season over Glasgow Warriors last week will be a distant memory this evening after Michael Bradley's were on the receiving end of another pummelling on Welsh soil.

A fortnight ago the province were beaten 45-3 in Llanelli but that margin was exceeded easily by a Cardiff side that has now taken 11 points from meetings with each of the four Irish provinces in the new Magners League season - an eight point defeat in Musgrave Park last week being the only fruitless outing.

The damage was done in a punishing first half by the homeside who ran in seven tries for a 46-0 lead at the break. Credit must go to Connacht for not wilting in the second and allowing their hosts two cross just twice, but there were few positives for Bradley who saw his side slump to record defeat.

Connacht did have their share of possession before the rout began, with lively outhalf Andy Dunne and skipper John Muldoon prominent, although the Blues hinted at what was to follow with a quick penalty which saw centre Jamie Roberts race through a huge gap for the opening try.

The Blues then produced some superb handling, with Roberts again featuring, before Rhys Thomas and Maama Molitika put Ceri Sweeney under the posts.

Full-back Leigh Halfpenny raced in for two tries in as many minutes, the first following individual brilliance by scrumhalf Jason Spice, the second the result of two Connacht players waiting for a Spice kick to bounce only to see it shoot back into Blues hands.

The last thing Connacht needed was to lose number eight Colm Rigney to a yellow card, and in a brief spell remaining before the interval, the rampant Welsh region crossed for more touchdowns for Thomas' namesake Gareth and Tongan flanker Molitika.

The second half began in the same vein, with outhalf Sweeney ripping the ball out of a tackle to trot over and put up the half century, the first time the visitors had conceded so many in a Magners League match.

Connacht, though, kept plugging away but, after an incisive run by full-back Fionn Carr, the final pass was knocked on just short of the line.

The Blues crossed again in injury time, a beautifully delayed pass by former Wales captain Gareth Thomas sending replacement prop Taufa'ao Filise between the sticks.

Connacht remain second from bottom, ahead of Ulster, with four points from five games.