Blues claim key win as Munster thump Zebre

Cardiff Blues effectively kept alive their faint hopes of making the Pro14 play-offs with a 25-20 home victory over the Cheetahs on Saturday.

The Blues began the game 16 points behind their opponents, who occupy the third qualifying place in Conference A, but reduced that deficit to 12 with a narrow victory.

With seven rounds of the season to go, Cardiff still have much ground to make up, but defeat in this match would surely have ended any hopes they had of extending their domestic season.

Nick Williams was the star performer as the Blues moved above Connacht into fourth, the back-row forward claiming his side's third try after Rey Lee-Lo and Ellis Jenkins had crossed in the first half.

Tries from Ox Nche and Uzair Cassiem proved in vain for the Cheetahs, who have suffered five of their six defeats this season on the road.

In Saturday's other fixture, Munster cemented their hold on second place in Conference A, pulling seven points clear of the Cheetahs courtesy of a 33-5 win against Zebre. Sam Arnold claimed two of the Irish province's five tries.