The Blues had secured back-to-back wins over Glasgow in the Heineken Cup earlier this season but the Scottish side got revenge this time around as two late tries saw them take home the spoils.
James Eddie and Mark Bennett both crossed in the second half, adding to Lee Jones’ first half effort, with replacement Finn Russell kicking two conversions and a penalty. Ruaridh Jackson had converted Jones’ try in a first half which had ended with the Blues 10-7 ahead.
Robin Copeland had scored the first try of the day and although Lewis Jones added a second and Simon Humberstone and Gareth Davies shared 10 points between them, it was not enough.
An early Humberstone penalty was a deserved reward for the Blues who started the game impressively. On his return to regional action, Wales skipper Warburton produced one superb offload under pressure as the home side enjoyed the better of the opening 10 minutes. Full back Dan Fish was also lively but the Blues did suffer a blow as injured scrum half Lloyd Williams was replaced by Jones.
For all of their attacking threat, the Blues failed to pull clear though and only two missed penalties from Jackson, the second of which struck the right hand upright, kept the score at 3-0.
Glasgow may have missed a chance to move ahead but the Scottish outfit grew into the game as the first half progressed. Starting to retain the ball more consistently, Gregor Townsend’s men tested the home defence but a try failed to arrive.
When the first score of the day did come, it was the Blues who struck five minutes before the break. Copeland started and finished the try, breaking from inside his own half. The Irish No. 8 found Macauley Cook and Humberstone in support, the fly half returning the ball to Copeland to dive over.
Humberstone added the touchline conversion but Glasgow hit back before the break with Jones powering through a number of weak tackles. Jackson converted to make it 10-7 at half time, a score line which probably reflected the way the first half had gone.
The second period started with the Blues wasting a golden opportunity to extend their lead. The powerful Copeland created something from nothing, storming through the Glasgow defence but failing to find the unmarked Fish, who was steaming up in support. Luckily for Copeland, the Blues did soon add their second try, replacement Jones credited with the score after referee George Clancy referred the decision to the TMO.
Humberstone’s good evening with the boot continued but despite trailing by 10, Glasgow refused to throw in the towel.
Three points from replacement Russell narrowed the gap with the score cue for Jenkins to be replaced at prop by Sam Hobbs. Gareth Davies also entered the fray for Humberstone and it wasn’t long before Warburton, with next Friday’s clash with France in mind, took his leave from the game.
The raft of substitutions didn’t help the flow of the game but it was still Glasgow who were having the better of territory and possession. Russell and Davies then exchanged penalties but the home side’s lead was soon eradicated. Glasgow forward Eddie gave his side field position with a barnstorming run and several phases later, crossed the whitewash underneath the Cardiff posts.
Russell converted to leave the scores tied but worse was to come for the Blues as Bennett’s late effort, improved by Russell, meant Phil Davies’ men had to settle for a losing bonus point.
