James at the double for Blues

Two tries in a six-minute spell from winger Tom James set Cardiff Blues on the way to a 21-9 Magners League triumph over basement boys Connacht.

James crossed twice shortly before half-time, while Ben Blair added 11 points with the boot as the hosts cantered to a deserved victory.

Ian Keatley replied with three penalties from five attempts for the Irish province, but it was not enough as Cardiff climbed above rivals Scarlets in the table.

Connacht, seeking a first double over the Welsh region, made the brighter start with Keatley to the fore, but the fly-half blotted his copybook when he missed a straightforward drop-goal after some sustained pressure.

The Blues gradually began to get a foothold and a particularly impressive kick-and-catch from Richard Mustoe was the catalyst to a fine move that eventually broke down following by a poor pass from Australian Sam Norton-Knight.

But Cardiff still managed to get on the board as Connacht had strayed offside and full-back Blair kicked a regulation penalty.

Keatley responded with a 40-yard effort for the visitors, but another from Blair restored the home side's lead.

Then James took centre-stage with his quickfire double. The winger crashed through in midfield to round off another smart move started by the eye-catching Mustoe - Blair added the extras.

James claimed his second when he scooted over in the corner although this time Blair was unable to add the difficult conversion as the hosts went in at the interval 18-3 ahead.

But Connacht reappeared with renewed vigour and took the game to their opponents in the early stages of the second half, Keatley landing his second penalty when the Blues were deemed guilty of a scrum offence.

Keatley narrowed the gap further with another three-pointer, but when Blair sent a long-range kick over via a post the visitors never looked likely to recover.