Cardiff 22-23 Benetton: Hosts implode in second half as moment of madness costs them dear

A moment of madness from new signing Ciaran Parker cost Cardiff victory over a resilient Benetton side.

The Welsh side were leading with 90 seconds remaining before former London Irish and Leinster prop Parker got red carded for a dangerous high tackle. Jacob Umaga, who had kicked excellently throughout, didn't need a second invitation, and succeeded with his attempt at goal from 45 metres out.

In all honesty Cardiff should never have been in this situation having been in almost complete control for the first 50 minutes of the game.

They held a 19-10 lead at the interval having dominated the contest physically with their set-piece looking extremely strong, but they imploded after the break.

The challenges facing the Welsh regions have been well-documented with the significant drop in playing budgets making it even harder for them to compete this season. Cardiff have arguably been hit more acutely than the other Welsh sides, while Matt Sherratt has stepped up to head coach after the club parted ways with director of rugby Dai Young.

It was almost accepted before the season began that the Welsh sides would struggle this season but if Cardiff can't beat Benetton at home then you do wonder where the wins are going to come from.

There were some good individual performances from the likes of Rhys Carre, Cameron Winnett and Kieran Assiratti but as a collective they struggled to maintain the intensity of the first half for the full 80 minutes.

Benetton opened the scoring with a successful penalty from 45 metres out by Jacob Umaga. But thereafter Cardiff dominated the first half with their driving lineout causing the Italian outfit all manner of problems.

The home side claimed the first try of the game when hooker Liam Belcher powered