Blues battle past Northampton

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The Blues extended their unbeaten record against English clubs to 11 matches with a try from Bristol-bound scrum-half Jason Spice and six points from the boot of full-back Ben Blair.

Cardiff dominated the first half to open an 8-0 lead and although Northampton hit back quickly with a try from Joe Ansbro, they could not overhaul the Blues.

Cardiff's victory ensured an Anglo-Welsh flavour to the final for a fourth consecutive year. Wasps against the Scarlets in 2006 was followed by two Leicester-Ospreys encounters.

It was a deserved victory for the Blues, who bossed the first half with Maama Molitika's powerful running and Nicky Robinson's inch-perfect tactical kicking keeping Northampton pinned deep in their own territory.

But the Saints defended resolutely and it took until the 36th minute for Blues scrum-half Spice to find a chink in the armour.

Cardiff edged into an early lead when Dylan Hartley was penalised straight from the kick-off and Ben Blair slotted the simple kick.

Leigh Halfpenny had a dart for the line but Northampton left fringes unguarded and Spice darted over from the base of a ruck.

Northampton made a blistering start to the second period. Neil Best's bulldozing run through the middle set them on their way before the ball was shifted wide for Ansboro, who held off Halfpenny's tackle to dive for the line and score in the corner.

Cardiff continued to test Northampton's defence with a powerful run from Roberts and earned a penalty which Blair slotted to push them six points clear and seal a date at Twickenham.