Nick Robinson is collared by the Northampton defence

This time, on the right side for a left-footed kicker, the 19-year-old made no mistake to make it 6-0.

Cardiff were on top in the possession stakes and a Rob Appleyard charge was stopped by a last-ditch tackle from Ben Cohen.

But Northampton were still under pressure and a late tackle by Andrew Blowers on Rob Howley gave Robinson another chance, but the youngster hooked the ball wide.

Cardiff's Matt Allen, playing against his former club, then clashed heads with Nick Beal, and the Saints man came off worse with a suspected broken nose and was replaced by Luca Martin.

Nick Beal is stopped by Jamie Robinson

Robinson missed another penalty chance before Northampton made their first foray into Cardiff territory thanks to Blowers, but Cohen dropped John Leslie's pass.

Another missed Robinson kick five minutes after the break gave Cardiff a chance after Tom Smith knocked on in front of his posts.

The home side worked a blind-side move and full-back Rhys Williams sprinted through to touch down with Robinson converting.

Northampton hit straight back with a Paul Grayson penalty after Cardiff were penalised for going to ground.

The Blue & Blacks kept up the pressure, but two bad line-outs cost them chances of adding to their tally.

They did score again, after 62 minutes, but in controversial circumstances.

Matt Allen gets to grips with ex-team-mate Ben Cohen

Howley bundled his way through the forwards and seemed to lose possession as he grounded the ball.

But referee Joel Jutge gave the try, much to Northampton's disgust, and Robinson converted to make it 20-3.

The injustice seemed to wake the Saints up and a period of pressure ended with replacement Ali Hepher - who had just replaced Grayson - diving over and he converted his own try.

Cardiff hit back with a fine move involving Williams, Anthony Sullivan and Andrew Lewis, which ended with former rugby league star Sullivan appearing again to drive over and make it 25-10,

Northampton weren't going to lie down though, and Grant Seely powered over after a fine Mark Tucker run, with Hepher converting.

Cardiff: Tries: R Williams, R Howley, A Sullivan. Cons: N Robinson (2). Pens: N Robinson (2).

Northampton: Tries: A Hepher, G Seely. Cons: A Hepher (2) Pen: P Grayson.

Cardiff: R Williams; A Henry, J Robinson, M Allen, A Sullivan; N Robinson, R Howley; S John, A Lewis, D Young (capt), C Quinnell, J Tait, F Mounier, S Sititi, R Appleyard.
Reps: K Fourie, G Woods, A Booth, P Jones, C Miller, G Powell, P Rogers.

Northampton: P Grayson; N Beal, M Tucker, J Leslie, B Cohen; J Brooks, M Dawson; T Smith, S Thompson, M Stewart, A Newman, J Phillips, A Blowers, G Seely, B Pountney (capt).
Reps: S Brotherstone, K Todd, R Hunter, M Soden, D Malone, L Martin, A Hepher.

Referee: J Jutge (France).

Attendance: 7,000.