Maama Molitika got the Blues off to a good start, crossing for the match's first try after breaking a tackle just inside the 22 before romping his way over the line. It repeats his feat of last season, scoring in the opening HEC match, last year against Bristol.

But Calvisano were determined not to let Cardiff have it easy, and after a highly controversial sin binning of Deiniol Jones for a high tackle, the Italians hit back with a penalty to bring the scores within 2 points, Blair missing the opportunity to convert Maama's try.

But Calvisano's resistance didn't last long, first a Blair penalty restored the Blues margin, before the ref awarded the visitors a penalty try. Nick Robinson's grubber kick into the goal area looked like it would be gathered by brother, Jamie, but when his path was blatantly blocked by a push, the ref was in no two minds about the decision. Blair converted.

But just before half time, Cardiff's resilience would be tested. Firstly, Number Eight, Purll, walked in to score between the sticks after a dummy that fooled the watching defence. Then just to add salt into the wound, Jamie Robinson was yellow carded for an apparent infringement during the build up to the try. The assistant referee interfered and Robinson was just as confused as the rest of us to see the yellow card.

Blair and Griffin exchanged penalties before the half was up, but in truth the Blues were lacking despite the five point lead. A stern half time team talk was needed.

Half Time

Calvisano 13 Cardiff Blues 18

Any wrongs of the first half were put quickly out of mind in the second period, as Cardiff claimed the 4-try bonus point within 10 minutes of the restart through Jason Spice and Tom Shanklin.

First, Rhys Thomas' long line out throw found the Kiwi scrum half, who broke the covering defenders to score Cardiff's third and settle some jittery nerves, Blair converting once more. Nick Robinson, who celebrated his recall with an excellent display from fly half, threw a long pass, received by Rhys Thomas, whose arced run freed up the space for Shanklin to make a clear run in to the line as Dai Young's men all but secured the 5 point win.

But as the changes were made, the Blues continued with their barnstorming attacking rugby, Nick Robinson again involved at heart of everything the Blues did, his inside pass setting up Blair to score the Capital's fifth try.

But it was the sixth try that really got the juices flowing for fans. A flowing, passing move saw Cardiff swapping hands with ease, as they marched up field, with Calvisano clutching shadows as they tried to defend the onslaught. Shanklin began the move from halfway, before lovely handling from Blair, who opted for Martyn Williams on his left rather than Halfpenny on his right, but it turned out to be the right decision, as Williams, who probably would have made it to the line, offloaded to Nick Robinson to stroll over unchallenged.

Calvisano did get one back as they showed a bit of class going forward, but on a more serious note, they can't afford to be so loose at the back against Gloucester next weekend. In general, the defence was excellent, and proved the perfect platform to build on, but there were lapses in the 26 degree heat, lapses that would have been exploited by a better team.

Halfpenny became the next player to benefit from Cardiff's confident form, the 20 year old Welsh winger crossing for the 7^th of the day, and his own 5^th in four games.

Finally, Gareth Thomas completed the record breaking victory after putting pressure on the shaky defenders. A scrappy line out was gathered by Griffin, but his pass back to fly half Fraser was fumbled in his own goal area, and Alfie simply had to fall onto the loose ball.

Full Time

Calvisano 20 Cardiff Blues 56

Blair, Halfpenny, J. Robinson, Shanklin, G. Thomas, N. Robinson, Spice, Jenkins, T. Thomas, G. Powell, Jones, Tito, Molitika, M. Williams, A. Powell.

Sweeney for N. Robinson (67), Rees for Spice (53), Filise for Jenkins (64), Morgan for Tito (53), Sowden-Taylor for Molitika (53). Not Used: G. Williams, J. Roberts.

Tries: Molitika, Pen, Spice, Shanklin, Blair, N Robinson, Halfpenny, G Thomas
Cons: Blair (5)
Pens: Blair (2)

In truth, Cardiff could hardly have wished for a better start to their Heineken Cup campaign, the 8 tries may well prove vital in the latter stages of this tight group, while the bonus point itself was highly important. It leaves Cardiff top of the group on 5 points, 1 ahead of Gloucester, who beat Biarritz in unconvincing fashion, 22-10. It was a great result for Cardiff, who don't want any side [except Calvisano] getting an away win or picking up any bonus points

Of the win, Head Coach Dai Young told the BBC,

"After a good start we blew a few first-half opportunities and lost our way a little, so we wanted a big 20 minutes after the break and we really stepped up the intensity and accuracy. Confidence is a huge thing, you need momentum to play well and we did that. We're obviously pleased, we answered our critics - and we've had a few. The attitude from one to 22 was excellent."

So with the banana skin out of the way, Cardiff now have a week exactly from today to prepare for the massive match against Gloucester at the Millennium Stadium. Both sides went out at the Quarter Final stages last season, to the two sides who went on to feature in the final in the Welsh capital, and both sides will want to equal that at least again this year.

To aid the build up to the Blues huge and crucial pool match, theArmsPark.co.uk will (hopefully*) be bringing you a story everyday for the next week, covering the team's fitness, the potential return of Rush and Tom James, the importance of the game being moved to the Millennium Stadium, and of course the match preview following the team selection.

* I say hopefully because the internet in our new Uni house isn't great, and I am unable to get online in my room! But I will do my best to get a story of interest up everyday until the match.

So keep checking out theArmsPark.co.uk, and don't forget, our forum's are always active and busy, so share your views with other fans here.

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