Edinburgh 15-38 Cardiff Blues

James, seen here tackled by three Edinburgh players, claimed a late try

Cardiff Blues opened the new RaboDirect Pro12 season with a bonus point victory over Edinburgh at Murrayfield.

Ceri Sweeney and Edinburgh captain Greig Laidlaw each kicked three first-half penalties but Sam Hobbs try gave the visitors the edge at the break.

Laidlaw took his tally to 15 but Edinburgh could not cross the line.

And Hobbs, Andries Pretorius and Tom James added further touch downs, with Sweeney kicking a further nine points to secure Cardiff's win.

The result meant contrasting fortunes for Blues coaches Gareth Baber and Justin Burrell and Edinburgh counterpart Michael Bradley in their first competive matches in charge of their respective teams.

Sweeney's early penalty put Cardiff ahead and Edinburgh, minus eight players away with the Scotland World Cup squad, searched for their opening score.

• Gareth Baber and Justin Burrell were taking charge of Cardiff in a competitive match for the first time
• Michael Bradley was also making his competitive bow as Edinburgh coach

However, knock-ons meant promising attacks featuring Simon Webster and Tim Visser came to nothing and though Laidlaw levelled with a penalty, the visitors soon took command.

Grant Evans led a break with a forceful run and the ball was recycled to Martyn Williams, who off-loaded for Hobbs to touch down in the corner. Sweeney was unsuccessful with his first conversion attempt.

Laidlaw and Sweeney exchanged penalties to take the score to 14-9 in Cardiff's favour at the changeover.

Two Laidlaw penalties temporarily gave Edinburgh the lead.

But Cardiff reasserted control when Michael Paterson latched on to a loose ball and sent Pretorius in for a converted try.

And Hobbs and James ran in late scores with Sweeney adding the extras on both occasions to stretch Blues' advantage.

TEAMS

Edinburgh: Thompson, L. Jones, Webster, Scott, Visser, Godman, Laidlaw, Traynor, Lawrie, Niven, Gilchrist, S. Turnbull, Cox, Grant, Denton, Houston.

Replacements: Houston for L. Jones (40), Hunter for Godman (60), Gilding for Niven (62), Lozada for Gilchrist (62), Watson for Denton (66), Leck for Houston (70).

Not Used: Kelly, Hislop.

Cardiff Blues: Czekaj, Mustoe, Laulala, Evans, James, Sweeney, Rees, Hobbs, Thomas, Andrews, Down, D. Jones, Paterson, M. Williams, Pretorius.

Replacements: D. Hewitt for Laulala (60), L. Jones for Rees (60), Trevett for Hobbs (66), Tito for Down (60), Molitika for D. Jones (51).

Not Used: R. Williams, Harford, G. Davies.

Referee: Leo Colgan (IRFU)

Att: 2,431