Cardiff Blues overcome Lyon challenge with a 29-19 win

Cardiff Blues 29-19 Lyon, Cardiff Arms Park
Scorecard

Cardiff Blues managed to resist late resurgence from Lyon as they started their European Challenge Cup tournament with a 29-19 bonus point victory at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday.

As the first quarter went without a point, lock George Earle crossed over in the 22nd minute while fly half Jarrod Evans slotted the conversion. The lead for the Blues soon doubled as scrum-half Tomos Williams strolled past the post and Evans was once again spot on with the extras.

The Welsh regional side ended the first half with a 14-0 lead.

Flanker Macauley Cook extended the Blues' advantage with a touchdown in the 51st minute but a sin-bin to Kristian Dacey saw Lyon finally open their account in the 59th minute when Virgile Bruni went past the line.

The home side's bonus point soon came with their fourth try that came through Rey Lee-Lo in the 64th minute but Pierre-Louis Barassi negated his effort four minutes later.

Despite a double sin-bin for Timilai Rokoduru and Etienne Oosthuizen, Lyon scored their third try that came from Jone Tuva but their efforts weren't enough as they succumbed to a 10 point defeat. The Blues top Pool 2 while Lyon find themselves at the bottom.