Jenkins gets a perfect send-off

PRO14 REPORT: Gethin Jenkins rode off into the sunset with another victory under his belt as Cardiff Blues put Zebre to the sword in a comfortable Pro14 win.

Jenkins, 37, came off the bench in the second half for his final ever professional appearance and was given a standing ovation after a 19-year career.

And his teammates provided a fitting send-off as tries from Tom Williams, Kirby Myhill, Nick Williams and Rey Lee-Lo (2) all crossed in a bonus-point 37-0 win – their fourth league victory in five matches.

The Blues are now fourth in a tight Conference A and avenged their 24-26 defeat in Italy earlier this season, ensuring the away side did not complete the double against them for the first time in five years.

It was always set to be a special day for the Blues but there was a risk that Jenkins’ retirement was going to overshadow the match and provide a distraction.

But from the off they were alert, inventive and incisive, with Steve Shingler scoring the first points of the match inside three minutes with a penalty.

The flyhalf was at the heart of everything the Blues produced in the early stages and his clever kick through set up Tom Williams for the first try of the match.

A second Shingler penalty put the Blues 11 points up at the break as Zebre struggled to leave a mark on their opponents and that trend continued in the second half, as Myhill bulldozed his way over the tryline following a driving maul.

However, the biggest roar of the day was reserved for the 58th minute when Jenkins came off the bench to a standing ovation – both from the crowd and the players on the pitch.

The prop quickly made an impact, playing his part in the Blues’ third try of the match for Nick Williams – who touched down at the base of the post after some strong work by the forwards.

Zebre began to tire and the Blues quickly put the game beyond them with a bonus-point score, Lee-Lo bursting through a gap to score from Lewis Jones’ pop-up pass.

And the centre finished the match in style, grabbing his second from close range in the final minute. Jenkins attempted to land the conversion but pulled it wide.

The scorers:

For Cardiff Blues:
Tries: T Williams, Myhill, N Williams, Lee-Lo 2
Cons: Shingler 3
Pens: Shingler 2

For Zebre: None

Teams:

Cardiff Blues: 15 Tom Williams, 14 Aled Summerhill, 13 Garyn Smith, 12 Rey Lee-Lo, 11 Jason Harries, 10 Steve Shingler, 9 Lloyd Williams (captain), 8 Nick Williams, 7 Olly Robinson, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Seb Davies, 4 George Earle, 3 Scott Andrews, 2 Kirby Myhill, 1 Brad Thyer.
Replacements: 16 Kristian Dacey, 17 Gethin Jenkins, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 James Down, 20 Samu Manoa, 21 Lewis Jones, 22 Dan Fish, 23 Harri Millard.

Zebre: 15 Giovanni D’Onofrio, 14 Gabriele Di Giulio, 13 Tommaso Boni, 12 Nicolas De Battista, 11 Paula Balekana, 10 Francois Brummer, 9 Riccardo Raffaele, 8 Antoine Koffi, 7 Apisai Tauyavuca, 6 Jacopo Bianchi, 5 Leonard Krumov, 4 David Sisi (captain), 3 Eduardo Bello, 2 Luhandre Luus, 1 Cruze Ah-Nau.
Replacements: 16 Marco Manfredi, 17 Daniele Rimpelli, 18 Roberto Tenga, 19 Samuele Ortis, 20 Davide Ruggeri, 21 Maicol Azzolini, 22 Jamie Elliott, 23 Giovanbattista Venditti.

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Stuart Gaffikin (Ireland), Mike English (Wales)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)

@PRO14Official