PLAY-OFF BID BOOSTED BY NERVY WIN

CARDIFF kept up their bid for a United Rugby Championship playoff place with a nervy win over Benetton at the Arms Park.

- 

Cardiff's Iwan Stephens is kept out by Lorenzo Cannone of Benetton Picture: Huw Evans Agency

Josh McNally’s second-half try and the boots of Callum Sheedy and Ioan Lloyd had given them a 11-point lead heading into the latter stages.

Things did get nervy late on, although Cardiff held on to move themselves up to fourth in the table.

Last week saw the Welsh Rugby Union confirm Ospreys owners Y11 as their preferred bidder for the Blue and Blacks - a decision that has not gone down well with Cardiff's supporters.

However, all focus was on getting a result on Saturday to boost their URC playoff hopes.

The league’s official probability ratings offered the Arms Park side a 35 per cent chance of reaching the playoffs, despite having spent virtually the whole season in the top eight.