Ben Blair scored the Blues' try
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Matches: Benetton Treviso 7 - 19 Cardiff Blues

Tournaments/Tours: Magners League

Teams: Benetton Treviso | Cardiff Blues | Italy | Wales

Cardiff Blues survived a tricky away trip to face Benetton Treviso on Friday night, pulling through 19-7 at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo.

Fullback Ben Blair scored the Blues' sole try in the first-half, while Scotland fly-half Dan Parks accounted for the rest of their points thanks to two penalties, two drop-goals and a conversion.

The home side scored a try through skipper Antonio Pavanello just before the hour but could not secure a second big scalp in as many weeks after seeing off Leinster last time out.

Parks set the Blues on their way with a third-minute penalty, but both he and Leigh Halfpenny missed further place-kicks before Parks slotted a drop-goal to make it 6-0.

That was how it stayed until five minutes before half-time. Parks missed another penalty, but he was accurate with his conversion after former New Zealand fullback Blair crossed. Young scrum-half Lloyd Williams provided the impetus for the try after breaking from a scrum into the Treviso 22 and while he was slow to release the ball, Blair was on hand to tidy up with a simple finish.

Treviso made a host of substitutions early in the second half and had a chance to get themselves on the scoreboard, but Tobie Botes missed a penalty. They finally registered shortly before the hour mark. A penalty was booted to five metres out and following a big drive from the pack the try was awarded to Italy lock Pavanello following a quick chat with the TMO. Botes converted.

Parks popped over another penalty with 11 minutes remaining and his drop-goal with three minutes left rounded off the win, moving the Blues into contention at the top of the table.