Newport Gwent Dragons contributed fully to 95-times capped Wales flanker Martyn Williams’ testimonial, but met with familiar defeat on Cardiff soil last night.

Considering the game was supposed to be a friendly it was pretty full blooded, a punch-up erupting from the first whistle and bodies frequently scattered on the pitch in need of treatment.

It was useful preparation for the opening league matches next weekend, though Dragons coach Paul Turner hauled off half his team during the second half, fearful of more injuries to key players.

Despite their defeat there were some positive signs for the Dragons.

The defence was excellent, team spirit again evident in spades while individually there were first rate performances from teenage scrum half Jonathan Evans, one of the few players to go right through the match, and back row pair Joe Bearman and Robin Sowden-Taylor.

Scott Morgan, another former Blues player, was also prominent in a display where the Dragons were largely on the back foot, but did show the occasional thrust.

They were confined to a penalty by Jason Tovey whereas the Blues scored all three tries in a well attended game, over 10,000 fans paying tribute to a Welsh rugby star.

Williams received a standing ovation as he led the Blues out alone, but any hopes of this being a friendly for a change between these two old rivals rapidly disappeared when Blues skipper Paul Tito was tipped up in mid air from the kick-off and a punch-up broke out straightaway causing the referee to speak to both captains.

Williams was quickly conspicuous when he typically broke away before being overhauled in the Dragons 22, then Casey Laulala broke through a Tovey tackle as the Blues mounted a fierce attack.

Tovey cleared his lines excellently, but not for long as Ricky Rees stole away and Chris Czekaj broke between Aled Brew and Tom Riley as the Dragons line came under more heavy pressure.

The Dragons at last got into the Blues half, but normal service was quickly resumed though Brew who ferociously bumped Leigh Halfpenny into touch though a well judged kick from debut making Dan Pafirks eluded him.

The Dragons were defending valiantly, as they did last season, but it was pretty desperate and finally flanker Maama Molitika crashed over for a try from short range after 12 minutes, Parks converting off an upright.

It got worse for the Dragons when full back Matt Evans foolishly threw a punch and was promptly yellow carded. The Dragons showed up at last despite being down to 14 when Bearman burst clear, but the Dragons got turned over and Parks blasted the ball downfield Even though the game was a friendly it was full-on and for the second time Dragons captain Tom Willis needed treatment, Bearman also receiving attention, giving Turner nightmares in the stand.

Evans returned without the Dragons conceding a point in his absence, but the Blues mounted another strong attack, Tom Shanklin prominent though once again it foundered on a resilient defence.

Not for the first time Tovey hoofed the ball downfield, then Jonathan Evans made a nice beak only to lose the ball and Parks again put the ball in the right areas, but Bearman halted Xavier Rush a full flow.

The Dragons did really well to hold the Blues to a 7-0 advantage at half-time. They brought on forwards Ali McKenzie, Steve Jones and Dan Lydiate for Hugh Gustafson, Willis and Bearman for the second 40 plus Matthew Pewtner for Will Harries on the wing.

Pat Palmer, another former Blues forward, replaced Ben Castle two minutes later, and it looked as though the changes unsettled the Dragons for Shanklin quickly rounded off a thrust down the left with their second try.

But the Dragons replied with heir best attack so far, Jonathan Evans again breaking strongly, Morgan and Sowden-Taylor carrying well until Tovey uncharacteristically failed to gather, though he made amends by kicking a penalty - the first shot at goal in the match bringing boos from the crowd.

Tovey then departed, Turner wanting to preserve him for next week while Tom Cooper of Bedwas made his debut in the centre.

Two more yellow cards were dished out to rival props McKnzie and Scott Andrews sent to the bin after being warned for persistent infringing.

With 10 minutes left Williams left the field - again to a standing ovation in his testimonial.

But Brew made a typically lung-bursting run, taken on by replacment Adam Hughes as the Dragons came more into the game, Cooper also making ground.

But the Blues wrapped it up with three minutes left, replacement scrum half Lloyd Williams burrowing over, Parks converting.

Cardiff Blues: C Czekaj (J Loxton 75), L Halfpenny, C Laulala, T Shanklin (C Sweeney 63), T James (R Mustoe 55), D Parks, R Rees (L Williams 45), T Davies, R Williams (K Dacey 60), S Andrews, B Davies (J Down 68) P Tito, captain (D Jones 44), M Molitika (M Paterson 44), X Rush (T Brown 68), M Williams (S Warburton 70). Scorers -- tries: M Molitika, T Shanklin, L Williams; conversions: D Parks (2) Newport Gwent Dragons: M Evans, W Harries (M Pewtner 40), T Riley (T Cooper 51), D Bishop (A Hughes 60), A Brew, J Tovey (M Jones 51), J Evans, H Gustafson (A McKenzie 40), T Willis, captain (S Jones 40), B Castle (P Palmer 42), A Jones (A Brown 64), S Morgan, J Bearman (D Lydiate 40), H Ellis, R Sowden-Taylor (L Evans 58).

Scorers -- penalty: J Tovey.

Referee: James Jones (WRU).

Attendance: 10,016.