Cardiff Blues 34 - 18 Benetton Treviso

Cardiff Blues maintained their positive start to the Rabo Direct PRO12 season with a tough 34-18 win over Benetton Treviso.

Returning full-back Dan Fish's jinking run to the line added to Rhys Patchell's early penalty, as the home side put in a commanding first half performance.

Although Kris Burton scored what turned out to be Treviso's only points with a penalty goal on 17 minutes, a Jamie Roberts try on his first start of the season put Cardiff 17-3 ahead at the break.

Visiting prop Robert Barbieri was sin binned soon after the restart, giving Patchell the chance to add to his two conversions and first half penalty.

Treviso's best opportunity came with an interception by Giulio Toniolatti in his own 22, who raced on, but was caught by Patchell in good time.

The ground made on that run led to a sustained period of Treviso pressure on the Cardiff line, as Tobias Botes was held up with the ball.

After returning to the fray, Barbieri finally made the breakthrough to squirm past Dan Warburton and Fish to start a comeback for the Italians, with Kris Burton adding the extras to take his side into double figures.

The visitors kept the pressure going, and a Burton penalty brought Treviso back to within a converted try, as the game entered its closing stages.

But Jason Tovey was the hero of the hour, taking his opportunity to race through to score on his debut, giving Patchell the chance to convert once more, putting the Blues 27-13 ahead.

With ten minutes to play, Blues captain Bradley Davies was yellow carded for repeated infringement. Barbieri benefitted straight away, diving over for his second try of the night after his pack had taken him to the line. Burton failed to convert, so Cardiff still had some breathing space.

It was another debutant, Campese Ma'afu whose driving score on the final play led to confirmation of the result, gaining the Blues their bonus point win.