A REMARKABLE second-half comeback from Edinburgh left coach Andy Robinson beaming at his side's resolve in south Wales.
Trailing 14-3 at the interval, Robinson's brave side scored 33 unanswered points to not only win the game but to secure second place in the Magners League for the first time.
It is their best finish in the competition and arguably one of their mo
st complete halves of rugby this season.
They defended resolutely when required and seized the five opportunities that came their way. Little wonder therefore that Robinson was quick to sing the praises of his charges as they signed off with such a sizeable success.
"We made some mistakes in the first half and allowed them into a fairly healthy lead," said Robinson. "However, I never once felt that we were out of it and, to be honest, at half time I said to the guys that if we keep in there and cut out those mistakes, we can win the game.
"They did just that and the manner in which we went on to win the game was outstanding.
A penalty try, two from Nick de Luca and one apiece from Ben Cairns and Phil Godman put paid to the Blues' hopes of ending 39 years of top-flight rugby at the Arms Park with a nostalgic victory.
"There was a good crowd here, most of them coming to see the Blues win the game and to celebrate at the stadium," said Robinson. "Still, we stuck in there, frustrated them and took our chances.
"I was proud of the effort and proud of what we have achieved this season. There is plenty more to come from the side because it is a young squad who have another two years together at least."
The Blues began at a decent rate of knots with Edinburgh, who had won on three of their previous four visits to the ground, holding on for dear life.
Ben Blair, so often the Blues' saviour this term, wasted a penalty opportunity after three minutes but, 90 seconds later Greig Laidlaw threw an interception to Jamie Robinson and the centre fed brother Nicky for the opening try of the game.
Blair's conversion gave the Blues a seven-point cushion, but such was the ambition of the Edinburgh side that within a minute of that score, they were threatening at the opposite end. It was that kind of game – frantic but thoroughly enjoyable.
Chris Paterson took Edinburgh's first scoring opportunity – a penalty after 15 minutes – but, with the Blues desperate to finish life at the Arms Park on a winning note, Edinburgh were once again forced to defend for long periods.
To their credit, they were equal to their task with Ali Hogg and Laidlaw marshalling their side particularly well.
Admittedly, the Blues were, at times, a touch careless, but after conceding so early, they were far from out of the contest.
With both sides keen to use the width of the field, the players were just about out on their feet as the clock ticked towards the half-hour mark.
Still, despite their sense of adventure, Edinburgh were unable to turn pressure into points. First, John Houston was hauled down after a mazy run towards the Blues line and then Paterson knocked on in the tackle after creating a gap in the home midfield.
And, as if to rub salt into the wound, the Blues doubled their tally on 31 minutes when try scorer Nicky Robinson turned provider for Chris Czekaj to cross at the posts.
Edinburgh began the second half as the Blues had finished the first and, after working an overlap on the right, they were awarded a penalty try when Jamie Robinson came from an offside position to prevent a try-scoring pass to Paterson.
One became two a minute later when the Blues, down to 14 men due to Robinson's departure, were once again caught on the left and Ben Cairns raced over unopposed.
Paterson scuffed his conversion, but from trailing 14-3 at the interval, the Gunners were 15-14 to the good and decent value for their lead. Their advantage became comfortable 14 minutes into the second half when once again the Blues were made to pay the price for their lack of numbers.
Nick de Luca was the recipient this time – Simon Webster committing the final defender and sending his centre in at the posts.
The turnabout in fortunes was complete halfway through the half when yet another lost ball in contact enabled the Gunners to break along the right flank.
De Luca and John Houston were both involved before Phil Godman raced in for a try, bonus point and the win.
It was fast becoming a rout. In fact when de Luca intercepted a pass from John Yapp on the hour, it was exactly that.
Paterson converted once more and though the Blues fought valiantly for further consolation, there was never any chance of a second turnaround.
ScorersCardiff Blues: Tries: N Robinson, Czekaj. Conversions: Blair (2).
Edinburgh: Tries: Penalty try, Cairns, De Luca (2), Godman. Conversions: Paterson (3). Penalty: Paterson
Blues: B Blair (D Flanagan 72); R Mustoe, J Robinson, G Thomas (C Sweeney 58), C Czekaj; N Robinson, D Allinson (R Downes 59); R Gill (S Hobbs 55), R Thomas (R Johnson 61), J Yapp, D Jones (J Down 40), S Morgan, S Warburton (B White 72), R Sowden-Taylor (capt), M Molitika.
Edinburgh: C Paterson, J Houston (A Turnbull 60), B Cairns, N De Luca, S Webster, P Godman (H Southwell 56), G Laidlaw (B Meyer 72), K Traynor (R Grant 60), R Ford (A Kelly 72), G Cross, C Hamilton, J Hamilton (S Macleod 60), S Newlands (M Mustchin 40), R Grant, A Hogg (capt).
Referee: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Attendance: 11,212
