New Zealand full-back Jayden Hayward helped himself to 20 points as Benetton Treviso sealed just their third GUINNESS PRO12 victory of the season at the expense of Cardiff Blues.

The hosts had already sealed a bonus point in the first half with Mat Luamanu, Angelo Esposito, Enrico Bacchin and the impressive Hayward all going over.

And, despite tries from Blues’ Lloyd Williams and Josh Navidi, the Italians claimed their first league victory since January 3 with a famous 40-24 success.

Cardiff were forced into a late reshuffle when Gareth Anscombe was ruled out with a shoulder problem. Rhys Patchell moved to fly-half with Joaquin Tuculet taking the full-back jersey while Owen Jenkins came in on the wing – and it seem to affect the visitors who were behind after just four minutes.

A good break by Marco Barbini allowed the rampaging flanker to supply No.8 Luamanu who was left with the easy task of running into the right corner unchallenged.

Hayward missed a tough conversion from out wide but the pressure continued from the Italians.

Full-back Hayward quickly made amends for his earlier conversion miss by firing over a penalty from closer in to make it 8-0 to Treviso after just ten minutes.

And the hosts went further head moments later when another well-worked try was finished off by wing Esposito – centre Bacchin the architect.

Hayward’s conversion made it 15-0 after just 12 minutes, but almost immediately Patchell kicked his first penalty of the evening to reduce the arrears for the shell-shocked Blues.

Cardiff scrum-half Williams then capitalised on counterpart Alberto Lucchese’s charged-down kick to notch the Blues’ first try, with Patchell’s conversion making it 15-10 after a pulsating opening 20 minutes.

Surprisingly it took ten minutes for the next score, and it went to Treviso after Bacchin bundled his way over in the left corner. Hayward brilliantly kicked the conversion in off the post for a 22-10 lead.

However, the Blues bounced back again with Patchell once more involved. This time it was his fortuitous loose pass which fell kindly for No.8 Navidi to finish, and Patchell added the extras.

But the impressive Hayward had the final say of a fantastic first half. The Kiwi beat three Cardiff defenders on his way to capping a stunning bonus-point try in the corner on 38 minutes, but subsequently missed a tough conversion attempt.

Treviso began the half 27-17 in front, but that was quickly added to by replacement Henry Seniloli who dotted down under the posts – and Hayward made no mistake from the tee.

He added another three points with a penalty on 46 minutes but Cardiff centre Adam Thomas got the visitors back into the contest two minutes later – his try and Patchell’s conversion making it 37-24.

The Blues tried desperately to get back into the game but Treviso held firm as the game turned scrappy in the final 20 minutes.

And, rather appropriately, Hayward had the last word with a late penalty to condemn Cardiff to their third successive GUINNESS PRO12 defeat.

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