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Cardiff kept up their bid for a United Rugby Championship play-off place with a nervy 17-8 win over Benetton at the Arms Park.
Josh McNally’s second-half try and the boots of Callum Sheedy and Ioan Lloyd had given them a 11-point lead heading into the latter stages.
However, things did get nervy late on – although Cardiff held on to move themselves up to fourth in the table.
This week had seen the Welsh Rugby Union confirm Ospreys owners Y11 as their preferred bidder for the Blue and Blacks – a decision that has not gone down well with Cardiff’s supporters.
However, all focus was on getting a result on Saturday night to boost their URC play-off hopes.
The league’s official probability ratings offered the Arms Park side a 35 per cent chance of reaching the play-offs, despite having spent virtually the whole season in the top eight.
With just three home matches left for Cardiff in their final eight league fixtures, even going two months without a home fixture after their next game at the Arms Park.
With a difficult trip to South Africa still to come, a win of any sorts was crucial for Corniel van Zyl’s side – even if they were made to sweat in a nervy finish.
Second-row McNally had a gilt-edged chance to score six minutes in, only for the ball to slip out of his grasp as he crossed the whitewash.
While that chance went begging, a couple of early penalties from Sheedy would give the home side an early lead, with the Italian outfit continuing to offer little in the opening exchanges.
However, there was little of note after those two efforts at goal.
Wales back-row Alex Mann was sin-binned for a cynical offence at the breakdown, but the visitors never threatened to make the most of their numerical advantage.
There was the odd chance for Cardiff to extend their lead as the rain started to fall, but, fittingly, the first-half remained tryless.
Mann’s eagerness at the breakdown handed Benetton their first points after the break, with another penalty handing Rhyno Smith an easy three points.
However, a second try-scoring chance for McNally wouldn’t go begging.
Relentless pressure in the Benetton 22 would see the second-row crash over for the game’s first try after 49 minutes.
The home side moved further ahead on the hour-mark, with Lloyd taking over the kicking duties with a straightforward effort off the tee.
However, some needless penalties gave Benetton a way back into it – with second-row Federico Ruzza forcing his way over from close range to make it a one-score game.
Cardiff were then handed an almighty let-off after poor defence looked to have handed the Italian’s a go-ahead score.
Replacement Filippo Drago wriggled through poor tackling before finding Ale Garbisi to put Ignacio Mendy under the sticks seven minutes from time.
However, the TMO ruled that Drago’s pass was forward.
To Cardiff’s credit, they managed the final moments perfectly – keeping their foot on the throat of Benetton before a second Lloyd penalty at the death sealed the victory.
Cardiff: Beetham; Adams, Millard, B Thomas, Stephens; Sheedy, Davies; Barratt, Liam Belcher (capt), Assiratti, McNally, Nott, Mann, Botham, Lawrence.
Replacements: Lloyd, Domachowski, Sebastian, Thornton, D Thomas, Mulder, Lloyd, Grady
Benetton: Smith; Mendy, Menoncello, Marin, Odogwu; Farias, Uren (capt); Aminu, Maile, Pasquali, Marini, Ruzza, Favretto, Zuliani, Cannone.
Replacements: Bernasconi, Spagnolo, Gallorini, Scrafton, Fa’aso’o, Kingi, Garbisi, Drago.
