(Reuters) - Gareth Anscombe's late penalty sealed a superb comeback for Cardiff Blues as they came from 14 points down to beat Gloucester 31-30 in a thrilling European Challenge Cup final on Friday.
Gloucester dominated the first half at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, with superb tries from Henry Trinder and Mark Atkinson helping them to a 20-6 lead at the break.
Cardiff, however, battled back, with scrumhalf Tomos Williams winning a frenetic chase to steal in under the posts early in the second half.
A Garyn Smith try briefly gave Cardiff the lead, but Gloucester bullied their way over the line for a pushover try shortly afterwards to go 27-23 in front and a Billy Twelvetrees penalty extended their lead to seven.
Yet Blaine Scully struck back for Cardiff with a late try, and Anscombe, who missed a difficult conversion, made no mistake with a penalty in the dying moments to complete a remarkable comeback.
(Reporting by Philip O'Connor; Editing by Toby Davis)
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