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Rugby Union

Blues clinch dramatic victory

20/04/2007

A last-gasp drop goal gave Cardiff Blues a dramatic 20-17 win over title rivals Ulster in the Magners League.

Nick McLeod fired over in the dying seconds of injury time to give the Welsh side a crucial away win over the reigning champions.

After leading 3-0 through David Humphreys' penalty, the visitors lost their advantage when Andrew Trimble was sin-binned for a high tackle with Ben Blair.

The full-back kicked over the penalty to level the scores on 19 minutes.

The Blues got the game's first try when fly-half MacLeod found Chris Czekaj who forced his way over the line.

Blair's conversion gave the Blues a 10-3 lead at the break to set up a frantic second half.

Ulster got themselves back in the game when number eight Roger Wilson touched down for a converted try to level the scores.

Paul Steinmetz then picked up a loose ball and sent Trimble clear to cross the line under the posts.

In the closing stages Czekaj led a counter attack and found substitute Tom Shanklin, who overpowered the Ulster defence to score.

After sending two drop goals wide, McLeod was third time lucky in the dying seconds to seal the Blues' victory.

The result sees the Blues close the gap on second-placed Ulster to just three points and they also have a game in hand to help ramp up the pressure on their rivals.

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