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Rugby Union

Blues' defeat ends Welsh interest in Heineken Cup

06/04/2008

Cardiff Blues have crashed out of the Heineken Cup after losing to Toulouse 41-17 in the quarter-finals at the Stade Municipal.

The Welsh side trailed 16-10 at half-time after Maxime Medard capitalised on some shambolic defending to touch down in the first minute, with Jason Spice's try keeping the visitors in the game.

But the French side romped to victory with second-half tries from Maleli Kunavore, Vincent Clerc and Jean Bouilhou while Ben Blair crossed the line for the Blues.

Toulouse will clash with London Irish in the last four at Twickenham.

The Blues' game-plan was thrown out the window when from the kick-off, Tom Shanklin's attempted kick was seized by Maleli Kunavore. The Fijian off-loaded to Medard who touched down, with Jean-Baptiste Elissalde slotting over the extras before adding a penalty.

Despite Blair missing a penalty minutes later, the Blues hit back when Spice dived over the ruck to crash over.

The French giants dominated the second half and increased their lead when the mercurial Elissalde broke down the right and found Kunavore, who crashed over.

Nick and Jamie Robinson were brought on for the visitors and the brothers combined to set-up full-back Blair who touched down.

Toulouse grabbed their third try when lock Patricio Albacete galloped through the Blues' defence and set-up Clerc who dived under the posts.

The home side sealed the rout when substitute Bouilhou touched down to add to Cedric Heyman's drop goal.