Cardiff recovered from their 75-25 embarrassment in Biarritz last weekend with a four-try-to-one performance to destroy the All Whites.

The two old rivals have enjoyed some memorable battles throughout the years, but with the top-level future of Swansea Rugby Club on the line the home side gave a soul-less performance at a dreary and desolate St Helen's.

Both packs have been derided as amongst the worst in their clubs' illustrious histories, but in this case it was the Blue and Blacks forwards who came out firmly on top.

With Swansea playing to coach John Connolly's much-maligned pod system, they were blown away at ruck and maul as Cardiff claimed repeated turnover ball to ensure that the home side's plentiful possession came to naught.

Match details:

Swansea Try: G Henson Con: G Henson Pens: A Thomas (4) Cardiff Tries: H Senekal, R Smith, C Morgan, N Walne Cons: I Harris (3) Pens: Harris (2)

The visiting forwards were up to the battle from the start, Peter Rogers impressing in his new role as hooker and the back row as a destructive, scavenging unit.

Cardiff opened the scoring in the fifth minute when the outstanding Iestyn Harris saw space out wide during a foray into the Swansea half.

Matt Allen was dragged down just short of the line, but lock Heino Senekal supported well to cross. Harris converted from wide out.

Harris and Arwel Thomas traded penalties, before more quick recycling from the Blue and Blacks forwards gave scrum-half Richard Smith a half chance.

Jonathan Thomas gets to grips with Adam Jones

He threw a dummy and blasted through the yawning gap in the Swansea defence for a converted try under the posts.

Moments later another lost Whites ball sent quick possession to the lethal Cardiff backs.

Harris toyed with the scrambling defence, sending Kevin Morgan inside and out, before handing on to Craig Morgan for an easy score in the corner.

Two Thomas penalties either side of the break gave the Whites hope, but another turnover in the 46th minute allowed Harris the chance to put in a perfectly weighted grubber kick.

We came out here and stuffed them Cardiff flanker Dan McShane

Right wing Nick Walne was alert enough to touch down in the corner.

The game drifted on in a blur of penalties, handling errors, offences and sin bins (Tim Payne, Kevin Morgan and Adam Jones), and an injury-time try from replacement Gavin Henson hardly lifted the gloom over Oystermouth Road.

With Swansea showing no fight on or off the pitch, the club's proud history at the top level looks to be ending not with a bang but a whimper.

Swansea: K Morgan; J Vaughton, M Taylor, S Gibbs, S Payne; A Thomas, R Jones; D Morris (capt), C Balshen, B Evans, J Thomas, A Farley, C Charvis, J Bater, D Thomas.
Reps: S Cordingley, G Henson, G Swales, C Wells, D Dorsey, J Slade, R Jenkins.

Cardiff: Rhys Williams; Nick Walne, Jamie Robinson, Matt Allen, Craig Morgan; Iestyn Harris, Richard Smith; John Yapp, Peter Rogers, Tim Payne, Heino Senekal, Adam Jones, Dan McShane, Martyn Williams (capt), Dan Baugh.
Reps: Aled Jones, Greg Woods, Luke Tait, Robin Sowden-Taylor, Dean Dewdney, Nick Robinson, Anthony Sullivan.

Referee: Paul Adams (WRU).

Att: 2,500