Cardiff mark Cup return with a rare win in France

LYON 21 CARDIFF BLUES 30

Cardiff Blues marked their return to the Heineken Champions Cup after a four-season gap with only their fourth win in 21 ties on French soil, overturning an early deficit to triumph 30-21.

Lyon dominated from the start and excellent early defence from Tomos Williams held up a French shove over the line to prevent a certain try for Loann Goujon. But the home No 8 was not going to be denied.

Having been held up from a line-out, he then picked up from the back of a five-metre scrum and powered over to open the scoring in the fifth minute. Lionel Beauxis converted and added a penalty to give the home side a 10-0 lead.

The Blues opened their account after 30 minutes. Lyon had cleared to halfway but, from the line-out, Williams, pictured, raced 25 metres before releasing back-row Olly Robinson for a sprint to the line. Gareth Anscombe added the conversion and, from the restart, the Blues conjured up a second try. They failed to take the kick-off and Lyon drove up to the 22 before Blues skipper Ellis Jenkins nipped in to steal an intercept.

The flanker pinned back his ears, raced up to the home 22 before handing on to Williams, who turned final defender Rudi Wulf inside out to score. Anscombe converted from the touchline.

Having been behind for 20 minutes suddenly the Blues were ahead, although by the break the big boot of Beauxis had edged the Frenchmen back in front as he kicked two long-range penalties.

Anscombe replied with two penalties of his own to steer his side back into the lead.

He then cut clean through from halfway for a try he also converted.

Lyon scored a try through Quentin Delord before Anscombe kicked a late penalty to take his match tally to 20 points.