On the basis of their first half performance it seemed as if the Blues would struggle to stamp their authority on a game they were always favourites to win. However the second half was a stark contrast as the Blues showed why they are in the hunt for the title.

The Blues were victims of their own errors in a scrappy first-half as they allowed what can only be described as a weak Borders side to stay in the game. Having scored a fine counterattacking try in only the second minute the Blues then conspired to make hard work off proceedings.

"The first half was very frustrating from our point of view as we failed to play to our patterns and get any go-forward ball," said Blues head coach Dai Young.

"Tonight was a game we were expected to win and may be early on this played on our minds slightly."

Ben Blair, the standout Blues back, engineered the try after a poor kick from former Scotland stand-off Gregor Townsend. Showing a willingness to attack from deep Blair found space along the touchline before finding Chris Czekaj in support.

Czekaj took the move on sucking the cover defence in and allowing flank Rhys Shellard, the Blues Academy product, the easiest of run-ins. Blair duly added the extras and it seemed as if the Blues would stroll away with this one.

Maybe the early score lulled Xavier Rush's men into a false sense of confidence, as from then on the Borders slowly edged their way into an error-strewn affair. It was the Blues errors that allowed the Borders any sort of field position. First of all Calum McRae slotted over along range penalty before Nicky Robinson endured a moment of madness which cost his side five points.

Deep in his own territory and with Czekaj outside him you could not blame Robinson for looking to spread the ball. Rather than releasing Czekaj however, his pass skidded along the floor for Simon Danielli to swoop and score in the corner.

A strange decision from the referee cost the Blues a half-time lead, although when the final whistle blew it was long forgotten. Having been awarded a penalty advantage, the Blues, through Nicky Robinson, went for a drop goal-which sailed through the uprights. The referee, however, decided they would be better with the penalty, hard to believe considering it was on the touchline.

A quickfire hat-trick at the start of the second half was enough to secure the Blues a bonus-point as well as the win. Captain Xavier Rush started the ball rolling as he burst through weak tackling to stroll in under the posts, the reliable Blair slotting the conversion.

It was Rush again who broke the Borders defensive line to allow Scott Morgan, playing the in the second row, to score by the posts.

"In the second half we saw a real captain's performance from Xavier as he really stepped up to the plate and lead the boys with him," added Young.It only took the Blues a further two minutes to wrap up the bonus point with the try of the game.

Again it was the Blues desire to attack from anywhere that made the score possible, although it was another poor kick from Townsend that gave them possession. Gethin Jenkins fielded the kick in his own territory allowing Xavier Rush to support and slip a delightful pass to Nicky Robinson. By this time the Blues back-line was screaming up in support and Czekaj sliced through. Danielli was turned inside out before Jamie Robinson applied the finishing touch. 

"What is so pleasing is that tonight we had fourteen players missing through injury and yet the boys of coming into the side from the academy are putting their hands up and a lot of credit has to go to Chris Tombes (Academy Conditioning Coach) for preparing the like of Rhys [Shellard] and Adam Powell," said Young.

Having slacked off and allowing the Borders to score a consolation try through substitute winger Garry Law, it was the Blues who finished on a high with a second try for Shellard, who also picked up the man-of-the-match award for his two tries and a superb work-rate.

"Every game is a bonus for me with both Martyn Williams and Robin Sowden-Taylor out. It is a large step up from what I am used to but it is a quality team that I am coming into and the boys are making me feel at home," said Shellard.

The scorers:

For the Blues:
Tries: Shellard 2, Rush, White, J Robinson
Cons: Blair 4
Pen: Blair

For Border:
Tries: Law, Danielli
Con: MacRae
Pen: MacRae

The Teams:

Cardiff Blues: 15 Ben Blair, 14 Tom James, 13 Jamie Robinson , 12 Marc Stcherbina , 11 Chris Czekaj, 10 Nick Robinson, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Xavier Rush (c), 7 Rhys Shellard, 6 Ben White, 5 Scott Morgan, 4 Deiniol Jones , 3 Gary Powell, 2 T Rhys Thomas, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Scott Roberts, 17 Gareth Williams, 18 James Downes, 19 Adam Powell, 20 Ed Fairhurst , 21 Mosese Luveitasau, 22 Nick Macleod.

Borders: 15 Calum MacRae (c), 14 Simon Danielli, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Bryan Rennie, 11 Brendon Daniel, 10 Gregor Townsend, 9 Rob Chrystie, 8 Kelly Brown, 7 Andy Miller, 6 Scott Gray, 5 Opeta Palepoi, 4 Stuart Grimes, 3 Ed Kalman, 2 Steve Scott, 1 Gavin Kerr.
Replacements: 16 Ross Ford, 17 Bruce Douglas, 18 Scott Newlands, 19 John Dalziel, 20 Brendan McKerchar, 21 Steve Jones, 22 Garry Law.

By Marcus Leach