European Challenge Cup: Cardiff Blues 16-10 Pau

Cardiff Blues beat Pau as they did in both Challenge Cup pool-stage games last season

Cardiff Blues are into the European Challenge Cup final after beating Pau 16-10 at the Cardiff Arms Park.

In a closely-fought encounter, it was the Welsh side who came out on top, their defence holding firm despite immense pressure throughout.

Gareth Anscombe's early try was cancelled out by Conrad Smith and the accuracy of Jarrod Evans' boot booked their ticket in the final.

Blues will face Gloucester in the final in Bilbao on 11 May.

The hosts made the perfect start to the match, lock Seb Davies spotting a gap in the Pau defence to power his way into the opposition 22 before off-loading to Anscombe, who had the simplest of finishes.

Pau's Tom Taylor missed a penalty after 18 minutes but after Anscombe's kick was charged down Smith won the race to go over.

Two Evans penalties and one form Taylor closed out an end-to-end first half with Blues deservedly ahead 13-10.

• Blues win puts Gloucester in Champions Cup

However, the Top 14 club improved during the opening proceedings in the second half as they started producing the type of rugby that took them to the semi-final.

Their pressure lead to penalties, but once again they could not take advantage, this time scrum-half Thibault Daubagna was guilty of putting the ball wide.

Undeterred, Pau's dominance at the breakdown kept the penalties coming, but they failed to take their chances.

Evans' long-range penalty late-on gave Blues a six-point lead and the Welsh side made no mistakes as they clung on to record a famous win.

Ellis Jenkins takes the plaudits

Ellis Jenkins made his debut for the Cardiff blues in 2011 and has made 62 appearances since

Whilst Evans was notching up the Blues' score, flanker Ellis Jenkins put in the game's stand-out performance.

At the breakdown Jenkins caused Pau all sorts of problems as he made numerous steals and won even more penalties for his side.

His performance was epitomised in the game's final seconds as he won yet another penalty at the breakdown to seal the victory with Pau threatening a late comeback.

With Josh Navidi and Nick Williams for company, Blues' back-row saw off the French side's challenge.

Blues head coach Danny Wilson told BBC Sport Wales:

"It was gritty, it was not quite as fluid as we've come to expect but sometimes you have to find a way to get over the line and I thought we did that today.

We were fully prepared for a huge scrum that they have and that gave them a lot of penalties but what was pleasing is when they kicked to the line out we turned it over so we took away that weapon and that kept us in the game under pressure.

Also then defensive contact area we were outstanding and our defensive display in general but it is cup rugby and we found a way which is the important thing.

Wilson also looked ahead to the final:

"I think we will go there as underdogs the way Gloucester have been in form and watching them last night they were outstanding.

"They are a side with big line-speed in defence and they're a quality outfit, well coached and well drilled, so we will have to be on top of our game.

"It's cup rugby, it's a final, anything can happen and we'll go there with confidence."

Cardiff Blues: Anscombe; Cuthbert, Lee-Lo, Halaholo, Lane; J Evans, T Williams; G Jenkins (capt), Peikrishvili, S Davies, Turnbull, Navidi, Jenkins, N Williams.

Replacements: Myhill, Gill, Andrews, Welch, Robinson, L. Williams, Smith, Morgan

Pau: Malie; Halai, Smith, Vatubua, Votu; Taylor, Daubagna (capt); Domingo, Lespiauco, Hamadache, Ramsay, Pierre, Mowen, Dougall, S Armitage

Replacements: Rey, Calles, Adriaanse, Foley, Butler, Tomas, Hastoy, Fumat

Referee: John Lacey (Ire)

Touch judges: Andrew Brace (Ire) and Frank Murphy (Ire)

TMO: Simon McDowell (Ire)