MATCH REPORT: Cardiff Blues 28-3 Bath Rugby

Bath Rugby had a day to forget in the European Challenge Cup at Cardiff on Saturday as they lost 28-3 to the Blues.

It meant that Cardiff maintained their 100% record in the European Challenge Cup this season while the Blue, Black and White of Bath lost for the first time from their three pool matches.

Despite this, however, Bath remain in solid contention to qualify for the quarter-finals.

The winner of each of the five pools qualify for the last eight, as do the best three runners up, of which Bath are currently thanks to the eight points they have generated thus far.

Steven Shingler of Cardiff got the first points of the contest via a second-minute penalty and not long after he had kicked through the posts succesfully again for 6-0.

Tom Homer notched a penalty of his own, which initially looked like it had got Bath back in the game but that would turn out to be their only score of the match. Shingler scored penalty number three and the half-time score was 9-3 to the hosts.

Matthew Morgan was credited with the first try of the game when he smashed over the line before Shingler converted for an extra two points.

Alex Cuthbert, who profited from a favourable bounce on the 3G pitch, and scored Cardiff's second try - Shingler again was on point with his kick.

As Bath pushed for a score of their own to reduce the deficit, Cardiff hit them hard with their third and final try. 

Prop Scott Andrews profited on the stretched Bath back line and scored. Man-of-the-match Shingler converted. 28-3.

Bath get an immediate chance for revenge, as the second of back-to-back meetings with Cardiff is taking place on Thursday at the Recreation Ground, with a kick-off time of 19:45.