European Challenge Cup

Bristol 20 Cardiff Blues 33

BRISTOL continued their winless run as they went down to their seventh defeat in all competitions since the start of September.

Bristol now go to rivals Bath on Thursday night with a massive challenge to beat one of the in-form sides in the Aviva Premiership for what will be their first meeting of four – two in Europe and two in the league – this season.

Hooker Max Crumpton put Bristol in front against Cardiff Blues on Friday night as he crawled over for a try that was converted by fly-half Adrian Jarvis but their Welsh opponents, who were hammered in the Pro12 League by the Ospreys last week, hit back to put Bristol to the sword.

Fly-half Gareth Anscombe controlled things for the Welshmen although Bristol had a few instances of pressure inside the Blues half and were unlucky with a couple of decisions for tries which were not awarded when director of rugby Andy Robinson believed they should have been.

Jarvis and Anscombe swapped penalties but Crumpton’s touchdown put Bristol 10-3 ahead and with the prospect of that elusive first victory to take to The Rec.

But a couple of conceded penalties, which have been the Achilles Heel of the club all season, saw the Blues claw back to within a point and, once they took the lead through centre Ray Lee-Lo, they never lost it.

Indeed the Blues seemed to galvanise when former Bristol full-back Matthew Morgan was sin-binned for a high tackle and Bristol shot themselves in the foot when flanker Nick Koster was also yellow carded for a high tackle.

That Bristol sin bin saw flanker Josh Turnbull drive under a pile of bodies to touch the ball over the line.

Robinson had some cause for complaint when wing Tom Varndell went over the Blues line but had the try ruled out for a foot in touch.

Bristol also bundled their way over the line again only for the referee to call play back for a penalty. It does not seem that the club are getting their roll of the dice.

The second-half was more of a grind as the game lost its’ impetus and Bristol left holes for their opponents to exploit.

Cardiff Blues’ Welsh international wings Alex Cuthbert and Tom James got the other two tries, the fourth earning their side a bonus point, as they roared away to 33 points.

Bristol, though, had the last say when replacement lock Joe Joyce touched down but it was no more than a consolation and another hard day at the office awaits with their trip down the A4 on Thursday evening.