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          United Rugby Championship 2018
          Cardiff BluesCardiff BluesCAR
          37
          04/11FT
          8
          ZebreZebreZEB
          • Lloyd Williams(6')
          • Uilisi Halaholo(20')
          • Matthew Rees(51')
          • Matthew Morgan(62')
          • Tom James(67')
          • Steven Shingler(21', 63', 68')
          • Steven Shingler(25', 29')
          • Guglielmo Palazzani(76')
          • Carlo Canna(10')
          • SummarySummary
          • ReportReport
          • CommentaryCommentary
          • Match StatsMatch Stats
          • Player StatsPlayer Stats
          • LineupsLineups
          • TableTable

          Cardiff welcome back Gethin Jenkins with big win over Zebre

          Cardiff Blues' Lloyd Williams in action in the PRO14. Kevin Barnes - CameraSport via Getty Images
          • PA Sport
          Multiple Authors
          Nov 5, 2017, 02:47 PM ET
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          Cardiff Blues moved up two places in the Conference A section of the Guinness PRO14 as they condemned Welsh regional rivals the Ospreys to bottom spot with a 37-8 home win over Zebre.

          A 40-metre touchline sprint from former Wales scrum-half Lloyd Williams gave the Blues an explosive start as the city's fireworks display exploded behind the ground at Cardiff Castle -- and there was another long range try from Willis Halaholo to savour in a dominant first half display.

          The home side welcomed back skipper Gethin Jenkins for his first game since injuring his knee in the Blues' Judgement Day win over the Ospreys at the Principality Stadium on April 15.

          Jenkins played for 56 minutes and looked as though he had never been away with his high work-rate.

          He may be 37 in two weeks time, but he is still hoping to add to his record tally of 129 Welsh caps and is eyeing up a fifth World Cup in 2019.

          It was the veteran front rower's big tackle in midfield that allowed Nick Williams to turn over a Zebre attack and create the opportunity out wide for Williams to run in the first try after six minutes.

          Steve Shingler could not convert and four minutes later his opposite number, Carlo Canna, reduced the deficit with a penalty for the Italians.

          At the end of the first quarter Halaholo danced his way past four defenders in a thrilling run from near halfway to cross in the right corner for the Blues' second try and this time Shingler was on target with his conversion.

          The Blues maintained their dominance and Zebre coughed up some cheap penalties as the pressure mounted, allowing Shingler to add two more penalties before the break to give the home side an 18-3 interval lead.

          It was the same story after the turnaround as the Blues dominated territory and when Zebre conceded a penalty on halfway it was kicked deep into their 22.

          Macauley Cook won the lineout, the forwards drove on and Matthew Rees picked up the simple try.

          That meant the Blues had 29 minutes to chase the bonus-point score and they picked it up 12 minutes later.

          Another penalty gave Shingler another chance to kick to the corner, although this time the drive was repelled.

          The ball was moved wide to the left where American wing Blaine Scully threw an overhead pass inside to Matthew Morgan, who scored the crucial fourth try.

          Shingler hit the mark with his wide-angled conversion, before Morgan then turned provider for Tom James after the two men inter-passed from a quick lineout take in the Zebre 22 and Shingler landed his third conversion.

          Zebre grabbed a consolation try from a penalty five metres out by replacement scrum-half Guglielmo Palazzani.

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          Standings

          United Rugby Championship
          RTeamGPPDP
          1GLA18+14165
          2LEI18+14563
          3STO18+16060
          4BUL18+16059
          5MUN18+2055
          6CAR18-1955
          7LIO18+5954
          8CON18+4754
          9ULS18+7452
          10SHA18+3946
          11OSP18-7839
          12EDI18-7738
          13BEN18-16633
          14SCA18-9928
          15DRA18-13128
          16ZEB18-27515
          Full Table