Cardiff exploit Moore's misdemeanour

Cardiff 31 Swansea

It was perhaps hoping too much for a repeat of the stunning action served up 11 days earlier by these two teams in the Swalec Cup final and in the end last night's game turned into a typically jaded end of season encounter.

The only thing that really mattered for the home team was that they secured the point they needed to qualify for next season's Heineken European Cup and they ensured Swansea walked away from Cardiff with no reward once again. But the opening quarter was almost all about the Swansea lock Steve Moore. After only two minutes he romped over for a try, but 13 minutes later he was heading for the dressing-room having been sent off for using his boot illegally around the face of Cardiff's hooker, Jonathan Humphreys.

It did not take long for Cardiff to hit back, the prop Phil Booth going over for a try which Lee Jarvis converted and then Jarvis snatched the lead with a penalty. Yet by half-time Swansea were back in the contest with two Lee Davies penalties.

A penalty try put Cardiff back in front and then Humphreys appeared on the wing to cross for another. Jarvis wrapped it up with a try and conversion four minutes from time which took him to within five points of Gareth Davies's club record of 384 in his first season.

Cardiff: Tries P Booth, Humphreys, L Jarvis, penalty try; Conversions L Jarvis 4; Penalties L Jarvis. Swansea: Tries L Davies, S Moore. Conversions L Davies 2; Penalties L Davies 2.

Cardiff: J Davies; S Hill, L Davies, G Jones, I Jones; L Jarvis, J Hewlett; P Booth (A Lewis, 75), J Humphreys, D Young ( L Mustoe, 44), K Stewart, J Wakeford, H Taylor (capt), O Williams, G Jones (J Ringer, 77).

Swansea: L Evans; S Crane (Richard Jones, 73), M Taylor, H Thomas, Robbie Jones; L Davies, Rhodri Jones; I Buckett, G Jenkins (capt), C Anthony, S Moore, J Griffiths, S Davies (D Niblo, 70), P Moriarty, R Appleyard (R Field, 77).

Referee: H Lewis (Pontypridd).