Captain Leigh Davies’ return provided a much-needed spark as Llanelli got their Celtic League campaign back on track against Ebbw Vale.
Davies ran the backline from midfield, and fullback Garan Evans and in-form wingers Salesi Finau and Mark Jones took full advantage.
Ebbw Vale had first advantage of the wind in front of a small crowd at Stradey Park, but failed to take advantage. Early penalty-goal misses from Bryan Shelbourne and Scott Mitchell proved costly when backrower Dafydd Jones finished off a sparkling Llanelli backline move to open the scoring after 13 minutes.
Ebbw Vale showed glimpses of the courage they showed last weekend when beating Caerphilly with only 14 men, but the Scarlets were too strong in too many positions.
Gareth Bowen and Shelbourne each added two penalty goals late in the opening half to give the Scarlets a 13-6 advantage at the break.
Finau and summer signing Matthew Watkins livened up the Stradey Park crowd with early tries in the second half as the Llanelli backline hit its straps.
A second try for Watkins, set up by the strength of Finau, gave Llanelli a much-needed bonus point as the Scarlets move into the top four of Pool A.
Three late tries was proof of Ebbw Vale’s never-say-die attitude, but they were simply outclassed on the day.
Scorers: Llanelli: Tries – D Jones, S Finau, M Watkins 2, M Jones; Cons – G Bowen 3; Pens – G Bowen 2.
Ebbw Vale: Tries – N Edwards, R Davies, B Shelbourne; Pens – B Shelbourne 2;
Con – B Shelbourne 2.
