Former Cardiff player Jenkins kicked 15 points in his last competitive match in Wales, while Toulouse-bound Thomas scored a crucial but controversial second-half try to leave the Blues sweating. The lowest-placed Welsh region in the Celtic League lose their Heineken Cup place next season, and Dai Young’s men must now hope the Neath-Swansea Ospreys lose their final two games.

The Blues had the wind at their backs in the first half and made a perfect start when winger Tom Shanklin dotted down in the second minute. Iestyn Harris added a penalty goal, but the visitors lost inspirational skipper Martyn Williams to the sin-bin for a professional foul after 10 minutes.

The home side took advantage of their extra forward and shoved prop Chris Horsman over the try-line, and Jenkins made it a one-point game with the conversion.

Warriors fullback Emyr Lewis replaced Williams in the bin as referee Alain Rolland took a no-rubbish stance, and the Blues backline cut loose. In-form centre Jamie Robinson probably secured a seat on the plane to Argentina and South Africa next month by appearing twice in a superb move finished off by winger Craig Morgan.
Harris and Jenkins traded penalty goals, and the Blues jogged to the Brewery Field changing rooms with a 16-10 lead.
It didn’t take Jenkins long to use the wind to his advantage and two penalty goals levelled the scores before the hour mark. Warriors centre Sonny Parker broke the deadlock by running through opposite number Jamie Robinson, and the Blues’ six-point lead at the break was a seven-point deficit with 20 minutes left on the clock.

They hit back when fullback Rhys Williams darted over from a quick tap, but Warriors skipper Thomas scored a crucial but highly controversial try to secure the victory. Thomas was brought down short before using a blatant double movement to get the ball closer to the tryline. Given that even after the illegal move, the ball wasn’t on the line, it was a shocking call from the perfectly-positioned Rolland to award the try.

The Blues threw everything at their opponents in the closing minutes, but had to be content with a bonus point for finishing within seven points.