Cardiff 19 V Bridgend 24 10 February 2001

Cardiff lost their home record for the season when they failed to overcome the conditions at a near-waterlogged Arms Park.

Bridgend, who once went 13 seasons without losing at the ground, scored three tries, all converted by Craig Warlow, who added a dropped goal in the fifth minute of injury time as Cardiff were held in a vice-like grip in their own 22 as the clock ticked around.

Cardiff had led 10-7 at half time thanks to a Craig Morgan try and the boot of Neil Jenkins but, once again, proved incapable of developing sustained pressure.

Lynn Howells' late team selection included Emyr Lewis at number eight, Kenneth Fourie at tight-head prop and Andrew Lewis at hooker and captain. Neil Jenkins started his 22nd game out of 23 club fixtures this season and a remarkably strong bench included Jonathan Humphreys, David Young and Craig Quinnell.

Heavy rain during the day had necessitated several pitch inspections and conditions were far from ideal as the game started five minutes late.

Cardiff's early pressure failed to establish any points on the scoreboard and in the 27th minute a lovely break by Taumalolo in midfield allowed John Devereux to send ex-rugby league wing Mike Peters racing over in the right corner. Warlow converted from the touchline and it was wake-up time for the Blue and Blacks.

That came eventually ten minutes later when recycling left and right led to a long pass to Jamie Robinson who sent Craig Morgan over on the left for his 15th try of the season. Jenkins converted and when he kicked a tricky penalty from oot on the right on the stroke of half time he took his season's points total for the club past 350.

Another Jenkins penalty three minutes after the restart suggested Cardiff might pull away but it was not to be. Instead a high kick by Warlow put Rhys Williams under great pressure from the charging Devereux and as the ball rebounded off his shoulder a jubilant Jamie Ringer seized the ball to cross at the posts. Warlow converted.

Jenkins kicked another penalty to re-establish a 16-14 lead but Bridgend were becoming increasingly threatening.

From a lineout in the left corner they established a platform with a five-metres' scrum and although Warlow was held as he darted for the line, Molitika dived over for another converted try.

At 16-21 down with time running out Cardiff had to dig deep. When they did attack too many forwards were in midfield, slowing down the passing of the ball to wings Walne and Morgan.

Ryan Powell burst away from a scrum on the Bridgend 22 and when Bridgend infringed at the tackle, Jenkins kicked his fourth penalty but that was as close as Cardiff got.

Instead the visitors camped in the home 22 with three consecutive lineouts in the left corner. When the final drive was stopped the ball was whipped back to Warlow for him to drop a goal from close range and seal the win.