The Magners League was back with a bang at the Arms Park on Friday as Cardiff Blues and Glasgow Warriors shared out seven tries in a thrilling encounter. The Blues, who led 21-6 at half-time, always looked to have the upperhand but Glasgow showed their grit and fought back to earn a late, losing bonus point.

Having accounted for Gloucester and Calvisano in Europe recently, Cardiff got back to winning ways in the Magners League when tries from Tom James, Dafydd Hewitt and Jamie Robinson (2) inspired them past Glasgow.

When these sides met at Firhill in November the Warriors emerged victorious on a 28-0 scoreline but with that defeat in mind, and having only been beaten once at home since January of last year, Cardiff’s determination to win was obvious in the opening quarter.

In ideal conditions for running rugby, Glasgow actually took the early initiative and prop Justin Va’a showed his physicality with some powerful carries.

When Ma’ama Molitika was penalised for a fifth-minute offside, Dan Parks found the target from close to the ten-metre line for a 3-0 Glasgow lead.

The Warriors did some work with sports psychologist Richard Cox in the lead-up to the game but nothing could have prepared them for what followed that opening score.

Displaying great accuracy in their passing and angled running, Cardiff hit the visitors for three converted tries in a devastating 13-minute spell which almost put the game beyond the reach of the Scottish side.

Dai Young’s men were helped on their way by some poor defending by Glasgow but Cardiff took their tries well, with James slicing through for the first after 7 minutes.

Xavier Rush, who was a big influence throughout the first half, pumped his legs to set up ruck position near the Glasgow 22-metre line.

Then Ceri Sweeney put James through a gap and the advancing winger managed to jink his way over for a well-taken try which Ben Blair converted.

Cardiff opened up the Glasgow rearguard again on 13 minutes when nippy centre Hewitt weaved his way over, profiting from a series of poor tackles from the visitors. Blair again added the conversion.

On the 20-minute mark, prop Euan Murray spoiled a good attacking situation for Glasgow when he was penalised for use of the boot on Paul Tito as he tried to free up ruck ball.

Cardiff then secured lineout possession and flanker Robin Sowden Taylor tore through a gap in midfield. With the Glasgow defensive line punctured, the Blues broke through for try number 3 off the next phase when Robinson, taking a pass from Sweeney, dummied and raced away behind the posts.

At this stage, 21-3 down, Glasgow were in line for a hiding especially with Rush leading Cardiff’s charge. The former All Black brought his strong ball-carrying ability to bear and also showed some neat touches around the fringes.

Cardiff almost had their try-scoring bonus point chalked down before half-time, but they failed to follow up on a half break by James when Glasgow scrum half Mark McMillan did well to thwart Molitika near the left touchline.

The pace of the game slowed on the half-hour and hands in the ruck from Sweeney allowed his opposite number Parks to steady Glasgow with a well-struck penalty.

The remainder of the opening half was largely played out between the 22-metre lines but Cardiff built up a head of steam late on and both Hewitt and Molitika went close to nabbing Cardiff’s fourth try.

The Blues were brought back down to earth, three minutes into the second half, when a Jason Spice error allowed Glasgow centre Ruaridh Jackson score a much-needed try for his side.

Spice gathered a loose Glasgow kick but his attempt at a reverse pass was a poor one. Hefin O’Hare piled forward and stole in to take control of the ball and offload for the supporting Jackson to make the line.

Parks’ conversion closed the gap to 21-13 before Cardiff full-back Blair quickly popped over a penalty in response.

Cardiff were still controlling most of the play, with their dominance up front, but they were caught with a sucker-punch try again on 48 minutes.

Parks sent up a huge garryowen which dropped just over the hosts’ crossbar. Under pressure, Blair failed to gather it and Argentinian Bernardo Stortoni was perfectly placed to get the touchdown, allowing Parks to tap over a simple conversion and make it 24-20.

However, that was as close as Glasgow got. Young’s charges upped their game for the final quarter and they moved a converted try clear when Blair bisected the posts with his second penalty of the night.

Soon after, Robinson set sail for the try-line but was called back for a forward pass from Tito.

Cardiff effectively sealed a maximum return of five points right on the hour. After a Blair penalty miss, they quickly got back on the front foot and after a succession of pick and goes in the visitors’ 22, the space was created for Blair to send Robinson over in the left corner.

Television match official Neil Ballard confirmed the score and Blair conversion left Glasgow two tries behind.

A scrum infringement allowed Parks to reduce the arrears from a lengthy penalty and Glasgow snaffled a bonus point that had seemed unlikely, right at the death.

Having only moments earlier stopped Richie Rees from adding his name to the list of try scorers, Glasgow winger Colin Shaw followed up on a brilliant last-minute breakout to score on the right.

Parks added the extras to close out an entertaining and action-packed game – its result has moved Cardiff up to eighth in the league table.