Cardiff Blues trounce Zebre 37-8

Cardiff Blues 37 - 8 Zebre, Cardiff Arms Park

Cardiff Blues came up with a five-try performance as they trounced Zebre 37-8 in their Pro 14 encounter at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday.

The win has helped the Blues finally make a move from the bottom of Conference A and they have replaced Zebre at the fifth position, pushing Ospreys to the last place.

Wales international Gethin Jenkins made his first appearance since his knee injury and made an immediate impact allowing Lloyd Williams to cross over in the fifth minute. Steve Shingler missed out on the conversion but Carlo Canna helped Zebre closen the gap to two points with a penalty.

At the end of the first quarter Halaholo danced his way past four defenders in a thrilling run from near halfway to cross in the right corner for the Blues' second try and this time Shingler was on target with his conversion, also adding two more penalties to take the lead to 18-3 for the home side at half-time.

It was the same story after the turnaround as the Blues dominated territory and when Zebre conceded a penalty on halfway it was kicked deep into their 22. Macauley Cook won the lineout, the forwards drove on and Matthew Rees picked up the simple try.

Further tries from Matthew Morgan (61') and Tom James (66') all but ensured a comfortable win for the Blues as they stretched their lead to 34 points. Replacement Guglielmo Palazzani scored a consolation try for Zebre but could not prevent them from succumbing to a 29 point defeat.