Two tries from Mike Phillips coupled with scores for Xavier Rush and Tom Shanklin helped lift Cardiff Blues to the top of the Magners League table on Tuesday night. Phillips was at the heart of a fine display from the Blues who will now be eyeing their first title win. However the Dragons ere competitive throughout with Joe Bearman and Gareth Maule both scoring tries as the visitors battled back from a 17-3 deficit. Indeed the Dragons had much of the early exchanges with a Ceri Sweeney just missing a penalty chance before Phillips gathered to dash over after opposite number Gareth Cooper spilled the ball.With Dragons’ flanker Jamie Ringer in the sin bin the Blues upped the pace and Xavier Rush collected the second try before the break.The Dragons hit back early in the second half with Bearman scoring – but their hopes of a fight back were short lived as Shanklin scored to end an attack which had started well within their own half. Just after the hour the Blues made sure of the bonus point when Phillips collected his second try from close in.However the Dragons still had something to say with Maule scoring from a break out of defence by the visitors, Sweeny converting to close the final gap to 11 points.
