Cardiff Blues became the first Welsh side to win a European title when they beat French club Toulon 28-21 in the Challenge Cup final Sunday. The cosmopolitan French club had dominated the first half but failed to convert massive possession and territorial advantage into real points. Turning around for the second period at Marseille's sun-drenched Stade Velodrome at 13-6 up, Toulon lost Jonny Wilkinson to injury and with him all shape and structure to their game. Cardiff scored three tries through Jamie Roberts, Leigh Halfpenny and Bradley Davies, with Kiwi full-back Ben Blair kicking a penalty and two conversions, Halfpenny also chipping in with two penalties. Toulon saw outstanding center Sonny Bill Williams and Thomas Sourice cross for tries, Wilkinson kicking two penalties and a conversion and Tom May also landing a three-pointer. Cardiff coach Dai Young praised his side's attitude, telling Sky Sports: “It must have been a great game to watch. In the first half we were hanging in by our toenails. But we showed guts and determination and when we had the opportunities we struck. “We had confidence in our own ability and knew if we got enough ball in the right areas and went through the phases, the opportunities would come and that proved to be the case.” Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal blamed his side's inexperience for the defeat. “We had the match, but when you're in the final you have to take the points when you get the chance. “It's unacceptable not to have taken the three points when we had the possibility of taking a penalty which would have given us a ten-point lead,” said Boudjellal. “That lost the match for us because we had a surprising game despite the physical and moral fatigue.” Australia wins London 7s Captain James Stannard touched down and kicked two conversions Sunday to lead Australia to a 19-14 win over South Africa in the final of rugby union's London Sevens. Australia led 7-0 when Brackin Karauria-Henry scored a try for Stannard but South Africa rallied for 7-7 at halftime. Series leader Samoa won the last three tournaments in Hong Kong, Adelaide and Las Vegas but went empty handed after losing 24-12 to South Africa in the cup semifinals.
