Blues down Cats

Blues 23 Cats 6

The Blues continued their rugby resurgence in the Super 12 grounding out a 23-6 win over the Cats in Auckland tonight.

After their impressive win over the defending champions Brumbies last week, the Blues posted their fourth win pushing them closer to semifinal contention.

They now lie in sixth place on 16 points, three adrift of the Brumbies, and four short of the fourth placed Crusaders who play the Bulls in Pretoria tomorrow morning (NZ time).

After a low-scoring, tryless opening 40 minutes, the Blues scored three second half five pointers and went close in search of an elusive fourth try for the bonus point at North Harbour Stadium.

The Cats continued the miserable run of South African teams becoming the second side following the Sharks loss to the Chiefs tonight to record five losses from six matches to date.

Blues lock Bradley Mika finally broke the try-scoring drought in the 48th minute after a smartly worked line-out move with hooker Keven Mealamu.

Mealamu threw in short to Mika who quickly returned the ball back to see Mealamu run 40 metres, dummy the fullback and feed Mika again.

At 11-3 the Blues appeared to sever their shackles and scored two quick tries to take the game away from the Cats.

Following good work from centre Mils Muliaina and replacement Ben Atiga, winger Doug Howlett dotted down in the 55th minute.

Second five-eighth Luke McAlister nailed the sideline conversion giving the Blues and 18-3 lead before Cats pivot Andre Pretorius landed a penalty.

Winger Joe Rokocoko crossed in the corner for his second try of the season shortly afterwards.

The only points produced in the first half were from the boots of McAlister, who punched over two penalties and a Pretorius drop goal.

The Blues looked the more likely team to score with three try scoring opportunities missed.

Fullback Isa Nacewa was tackled five metres short of the tryline early in the match after a 60 metre dash, while flanker Jerome Kaino was bundled into the corner touch flag.

Minutes later a Blues player was held up over the tryline after crashing over in a maul.

Blues 23
(Bradley Mika, Doug Howlett, Joe Rokocoko tries; Luke McAlister 2 pen, con)

Cats 6
(Andre Pretorius pen, dropped goal).

Halftime: 6-3.

- NZPA