Munster scraped through in Cardiff this evening by the narrowest of margins, a margin which could have been larger had Ronan O'Gara's been as impeccable as it usually is.
It was the penultimate home game of the season for the Blues who now have a lot of work to do if they are to make it into the play-offs after their chances were dented by top of the table Munster.
Leigh Halfpenny kept the Blues scoreboard ticking in the first half as Munster dominated over the home side. While at points you could be mistaken if you thought you had stepped into Cardiff City after a brawl broke out ten minutes before the half way mark, giving a total of three yellow cards in the first 40 minutes.
First Half
Cardiff Blues got some early points in the game with a superb kick from Leigh Halfpenny after a penalty was given for the tackle not moving away. Cardiff Blues 3-0 Munster.
Ronan O'Gara misses the chance to level up the score before the Blues get a line out just outside Munster's half, they take possession before Ceri Sweeney kicks it into the Munster 22.
Keith Earls makes a midfield break which is halted by Halfpenny. Munster's James Couglan goes over for the try which was completely set up by Earls alongside some shocking defence by the Blues with O'Gara adding the extras. Cardiff Blues 3-7 Munster.
A penalty for the Blues, nicely slotted over by Halfpenny brings them back within a point. Cardiff Blues 6-7 Munster.
John Yapp is given ten minutes to reflect in the sin bin for giving a bit of old fashioned hows your father, with O'Gara knocking over another three pointer for the visitors. Cardiff Blues 6-10 Munster.
The Blues are being made to pay for being down to only 14 men as they given away another penalty with O'Gara obligingly kicks over. Cardiff Blues 6-13 Munster.
Munster are dominate in this first 30 minutes of the game, giving a strong performance.
Halfpenny attempts to make it three out of three with another penalty going to Blues way, but it just drifted wide.
A brawl escalated into something that resembled a street brawl on the pitch which resulted in Munsters Damien Varley and Cardiff Blues Sam Hobbs both sent to the bin for ten minutes.
The Blues settle for three points at the end of the brawl thanks to Halfpenny. Cardiff Blues 9-13 Munster.
Replacement props are bought on for both teams, but neither which much experience at this level, scrums could be a little bit passive for the next ten minutes.
The clock has ticked into the red and Munster concede yet anther penalty, duly taken by Halfpenny who puts the Blues just one point behind Munster as they go into half time.
Cardiff Blues 12-13 Munster
Second half
Ronan O'Gara gets the second-half underway with both teams back up to 15 players.
The Blues get the first points of the second half and manage to sneak in to the lead as Dan Parks slots over a drop goal, it is his 27th drop goal in the Magners League. Cardiff Blues 12-13 Munster
Scott Andrews and the Blues were let off lightly after a tackle, conceding just a penalty which O'Gara slots over nicely, putting Munster back in the lead but this game could still go either way.
O'Gara misses a second kick of the second half in the 67th followed by another missed kick just two minutes later, missing out on a total of 12 points.
Michael Paterson gave replacement Jamie Roberts a half-chance on the left, but it came to nothing as Parks' drop-goal attempt fell short of the target as the hosts sought the lead.
O'Gara's long clearance kick deep into the Blues' 22 soon followed after Paterson's offload fell to Munster.
Full Time
Cardiff Blues 15 Munster 16
Man of the Match: Paul O'Connell
Cardiff Blues 15 (12)
Conversions: Halfpenny (4)
Drop Goals: Parks
Munster 16 (13)
Try: Coughlan
Conversions: O'Gara
Penalties: O'Gara (3)
Cardiff Blues: C.Czekaj, R.Mustoe, C.Laulala, D.Hewitt, L.Halfpenny, C.Sweeney, L.Williams, X.Rush, M.Williams, A.Pretorius, P.Tito (c), M.Paterson, S.Andrews, R.Williams, J.Yapp.
Munster: F.Jones, D.Howlett, J.Murphy, L.Mafi, K.Earls, R.O'Gara, C.Murray, D.Leamy, N.Ronan, J.Couglan, M.O'Driscoll, P.O'Connell (c), T.Buckley, D.Varley, W.Preez.
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
