Gareth Anscombe scored 20 points as Cardiff Blues beat Italian side Zebre 30-24 in a thrilling Guinness PRO12 encounter, as the Italian side picked up a late bonus point. Both sides opened up in the second half, with some sublime pieces of skill – but Anscombe was a cut above with both boot and ball-in-hand as Cardiff tightened their grip on seventh place. Tomos Williams was also supreme for Cardiff as he scored, while Aled Summerhill scored one of the Blues’ best tries of the season. Cardiff finish their campaign against Newport Gwent Dragons next week, while Zebre host Benetton Treviso – in a contest that will decide who finishes 12th in the table. Cardiff Blues were without veteran skipper Gethin Jenkins, who was ruled out through injury – with fellow Wales international Rhys Gill taking over in the pack. Summerhill returned to start on the wing, while Tomos Williams and also starting in place of Lloyd Williams. It was a special day for Zebre centre Tommaso Castello – who led his side for the first time. But Castello and his team spent much of the first ten minutes on the back foot, with Alex Cuthbert and Willis Halaholo threatening – while Anscombe booted over their first points of the night with a penalty. Zebre struggled for territory and with the Blues pouncing on them at every breakdown, more penalties seemed inevitable when Anscombe successfully kicked the second of the night. And the fly-half scored the opening try of the match mid-way through the first half as a superb pass from Ellis Jenkins and Nick Williams released him in the corner. Anscombe may have dominated the first 20 minutes, but it was Summerhill who set Arms Park alight with a stunning try – bursting round the outside of a floundering defence, before standing up the full-back and diving over in the corner. Williams was later sin-binned for a dangerous tackle, but Zebre struggled to take advantage as the two sides exchanged penalties. Zebre pushed hard early in the second half and almost scored a fine try, as lock Federico Ruzza intercepted a lose pass inside his own half and sprinted clear. He was eventually caught two metres short, and the Blues won a penalty. But they did not have to wait long to score under the posts as a penalty try was awarded after repeated scrum infringements five metres out, with the Blues’ Taufa’ao Filise in the sin-bin. However, Zebre’s bubble was quickly burst as a clearing kick was charged down by Williams, and the scrum-half dived on the ball first to score the Blues’ third. Williams thought he had a second, and Cardiff’s fourth, minutes later with a sensational individual score as he weaved his way through and dived over in the corner – but the referee spotted a knock-on earlier in the move. And Zebre went up the other end and got their second of the match through Maxime Mbanda, setting a new record for the number of tries scored in a Guinness PRO12 season. Their comeback appeared to be halted by Dario Christolini’s red card for foul play, but Dries van Schalkwyk scored a late try to confirm the bonus point. The Guinness PRO12 Final takes place on May 27 at Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Fans can guarantee their place by booking their tickets via www.ticketmaster.ie Further information: www.pro12rugby.com/final
