Cardiff scored 36 points in just 14 minutes to destroy injury-hit Edinburgh and keep alive the Blues' outside chance of the Magners League title.

And to add to the joy of the home supporters, their team's eight tries included three for Rhys Williams in his first appearance since ripping the muscle from his hip in October.

Another returnee, flanker Andy Powell, back after shoulder reconstruction, turned in a man-of-the-match performance, highlighted by the opening try.

Martyn Williams and Rhys Thomas were prominent in a sweeping move which ended with Powell battering his way through full back Alistair Warnock to the line.

Full back Ben Blair joined the line at speed, jinked inside a tackler and sent Williams sprinting in for the first of an eight-minute hat-trick.

Scrum half Mike Phillips benefited from a Powell burst, before his tap penalty created Williams' second, and the Wales winger's third followed good work by skipper Xavier Rush and stand-in fly half Nick Macleod.

Edinburgh's backline, without several international stars, was in disarray as Blair broke from his own 22 and raced 85 yards to score.

The Scots, with the words of embarrassed former Cardiff coach Lynn Howells ringing in their ears, showed some early fire in the second half, but it did not last and the Blues soon resumed control.

Their seventh try came from a turn-over on their own line. Replacement scrum half Ed Fairhurst booted the ball down field for Blair to outpace a dispirited defence and claim his second touchdown.

Edinburgh, who were not helped by the late sin-binning of replacement lock Fergus Pringle, stood and watched as Macleod chased his own kick to hammer in the final nail.

Blues: (36) 48
Tries: Powell, R Williams (3), Phillips, Blair (2), Macleod
Cons: Blair (3), Macleod

Edinburgh: (0) 0

Blues: Ben Blair; Rhys Williams, Tom Shanklin, Marc Stcherbina, Chris Czekaj; Nick Macleod, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, Rhys Thomas, Gary Powell, Bradley Davies, Robert Sidoli, Andy Powell, Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush (c).

Replacements: Taufa'ao Filise, Gareth Williams, Deiniol Jones, Mark Lewis, Ed Fairhurst, Nicky Robinson, Mosese Luveitasau.

Edinburgh: Alistair Warnock, Lucio Lopez Fleming, Peter Jorgensen, Matt Dey, Ben Cairns, Phil Godman, Greig Laidlaw, Allan Jacobsen, Andrew Kelly, Geoff Cross, Chris Bentley, Scott Murray, Allister Hogg (c), Alan MacDonald, Dave Callam.

Replacements: Dougie Hall, Alasdair Dickinson, Fergus Pringle, Simon Taylor, Alasdair Strokosch, John Senio, Duncan Hodge.

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)