Mark Taylor marked his appointment as Wales' skipper by crossing for two tries as Swansea tamed Cardiff in the Welsh-Scottish League clash at St Helen's.

Taylor swept across for scores in the ninth and 72nd minutes to crown a fine individual performance that earned him the man-of-the-match award.

He was well supported by Arwel Thomas, who eclipsed his Wales rival Neil Jenkins with a 19-point display made up of four penalties, two conversions and a dropped goal.

But the match was blighted by a serious injury to Cardiff wing Paul Jones.

The former Uwic player, who toured Canada with the Wales development squad in the summer, sustained multiple fractures to his jaw and damage to several teeth after a sickening collision with Tyrone Maullin and Kevin Morgan.

Jones had earlier claimed one of Cardiff's tries as they out-scored the hosts three to two on touchdowns.

He will miss out on a place for the Wales development team against the USA at Neath (14 November).

But Swansea were in control for much of the game, with their forward power giving them a decisive edge.

The All Whites' feared front row scored a victory over their opposite numbers, where Peter Rogers was making his first appearance for the Blue and Blacks.

The win completed a magnificent seven victories in a row for the All Whites, including four in Europe.

They stormed into a 13-0 lead through Taylor's first try and some accurate goal-kicking from Thomas, before Cardiff hit back with converted scores from Craig Morgan and Jones.

Boot problems

But Neil Jenkins had an uncharacteristically off day with the boot as he put wide three penalties and another conversion attempt.

After Jones' injury, Taylor cruised over for his second try, brushing aside Cardiff's captain Pieter Muller en route, to tighten Swansea's grip.

Cardiff replied through a late score from Nick Walne but it was not enough to prevent their second league loss of the season and their third defeat in all competitions.

Arwel Thomas

After the game Swansea fly-half Arwel Thomas praised the intensity of the encounter:

"It was just like another European game to be honest," he said.

Thomas acknowledged that it was difficult to raise the pace of the game and concentrate on the rugby after Paul Jones' nasty injury.

He was pleased to have won his kicking duel with Wales rival Neil enkins, though.

Scorers - Swansea: Tries: M Taylor 2. Cons: A Thomas 2. Pens: Thomas 4. Drop Goal: Thomas

Cardiff: Tries: P Jones, C Morgan, N Walne. Cons: Jenkins 2. Pen: Jenkins

Teams - Swansea: K Morgan, S Payne, M Taylor, S Winn, M Robinson, A Thomas, S Martens, D Morris, G Jenkins, B Evans, T Maullin, A Moore, G Lewis, H Jenkins, C Charvis(capt)
Replacements: R Jones, D Weatherly, G Henson, J Mason, C Wells, J Griffiths, D Thomas

Cardiff: R Williams, P Jones, G Thomas, P Muller, C Morgan, N Jenkins, R Powell, P Rogers, A Lewis, S John, C Quinnell, J Tait, W Fyvie, E Lewis, M Williams
Replacements: K Ellis, M Rayer, N Walne, Boyle, G Powell, O Williams, J Humphreys

Referee: Robert G Davies (RFU)

Att: 7,000