Rugby: Jarvis fails to save Cardiff

Bourgoin 26 Cardiff 25

Cardiff failed to end their losing sequence in France, despite 20 points from the boot of Lee Jarvis in a tight Heineken Cup Pool D encounter yesterday.

The Welsh Cup holders got to within a point of three-try Bourgoin, but ran out of time after launching a determined fightback. They trailed 26-15 with 13 minutes to go against last season's European Conference champions. However, six penalties from outside-half Jarvis and a conversion of Lee Davies's solitary try took Cardiff to within a point.

It was a break from Stephane Glas, the inspirational French international centre, that led to the first try for Bourgoin - Laurent Leflamand beating Nigel Walker in a race for the corner. The New Zealander Nigel Geany kicked two penalties and a drop goal to give the French club a 14-9 interval lead.

The No 8 Pierre Raschi scored Bourgoin's second try after 54 minutes when Cardiff lost concentration following a drop-out from Jarvis. Geany converted and then the German lock Sacha Fischer was driven over by the rest of his pack.

Jarvis converted Davies's try after the Wales centre had made the most of a break by replacement Gareth Jones after 71 minutes. But although Jarvis kicked his sixth penalty with five minutes remaining, Cardiff had to stomach their fourth defeat in four games on French soil.

Bourgoin: Tries Fischer, Leflamand, Raschi; Conversion Geany; Penalties Geany 2; Drop Goal Geany. Cardiff: Try Davies; Conversion Jarvis; Penalties Jarvis 6.