CARDIFF 20, HARLEQUINS 6

SKIPPER Will Skinner insists Quins must be more clinical if they are to revive their Heineken Cup dream.

The London side failed to take their chances against the Blues in their first Euro clash since the Bloodgate scandal that shamed rugby.

That was when Tom Williams cheated by faking a cut in the quarter-final defeat by Leinster.

It eventually saw boss Dean Richards quit in disgrace and many felt they were lucky to keep their place in this year's competition.

But now they must beat three-times winners Toulouse at home next Saturday to stand a realistic chance of reaching the quarter-finals.

Skinner admitted: "We have to be more clinical. We know it will be tough next weekend, but we'll up for it. You have to win your home games in this competition.

"The result was not a fair reflection on the game but Cardiff took their chances.

"They stopped us from getting quick ball during the last 10 minutes - they played to the referee very well - and we got frustrated and lost a bit of patience."

But Quins' hopes were hit before the start with England stars Nick Easter, Danny Care and Ugo Monye rested under the Elite Player agreement to limit the number of games they play in a season.

Skinner added: "We will be stronger next week when we have the boys back."

Quins boss John Kingston said: "If they were available, they would have played. Given the start to the season we were given, we had to play them. But it's disappointing when you can't field your best players."

Ironically, the blood that was spilled was by Cardiff, who lost Gareth Thomas, John Yapp, Bradley Davies and skipper Paul Tito to injuries in the first half.

Quins had their chances but made life hard for themselves with crucial handling errors at critical moments.

These two teams were the surprise packages of last season's tournament but there was little to get the fans excited in a boring opening that saw those four Blues suffer injuries, including skipper Tito, who was taken off on a stretcher.

Quins dominated the set-piece but only had a single Nick Evans penalty to show for it as they trailed 6-3 at the break.

The game was crying out for a try and it came three minutes into the second half from Blues wing Tom James on his return from injury.

It was his try that sent last year's Heineken Cup semi-final against Leicester into extra-time, and ultimately penalties.

This was a tap-in by comparison but it again breathed a rush of life into his team. Leigh Halfpenny struck the post with a long-range penalty and though Harlequins counter-attacked, the break went Cardiff's way.

British Lion Jamie Roberts made the initial break, Tom Shanklin and Sam Norton-Knight followed to hand James an easy finish.

It was not until Evans booted a second penalty on 63 minutes - to put them within a converted try of Cardiff - that Quins showed any willing.

They set up camp on the Blues try line during a 14-minute blitz. But try as they did, they lacked the punch to hammer down the door.

Chris Robshaw, Steve So'oialo and John Andress all came within inches of a score.

But a combination of Blues defence - led by Lion Andy Powell - and a nightmare knock-on by full-back Mike Brown saw Harlequins fall short before Halfpenny's 78th-minute winner.

The Blues are facing an injury crisis ahead of their game against Sale Sharks on Friday night. Boss Dai Young said: "It was an expensive win in terms of injuries."

SCORERS - Cardiff: tries James, Halfpenny; cons Blair 2; pens Blair 2. Harlequins: pens Evans 2.

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