Scarlets dent Blues’ title hopes

Scarlets 38 – 10 Blues  

Cardiff Blues saw their Magners League title hopes dented with a crushing defeat at Llanelli Scarlets. Stephen Jones, the Wales fly half, helped the Scarlets to the bragging rights with 18 points as his team stunned the visitors at Stradey Park.

It now means the Blues have to beat title rivals Leinster next week and hope the Ospreys slip up in one of their remaining two matches.

A strong second-half comeback for the Blues proved in vain as Barry Davies’s late breakaway try sealed the win. The fullback, who was left out of the Wales touring party for Australia this week, showed Gareth Jenkins what he will be missing with a super second half show.

He followed up his 80 metre effort with a late score before freeing winger Matthew Watkins to complete the rout in the closing stages.

Watkins and Jones had combined to give the Scarlets a 14 point lead at the break as they dominated the disappointing visitors. Yet the Blues hit back with Captain Xavier Rush burrowing over in the second half, and Nicky Robinson’s boot kept them in touch.

The Scarlets, who were reduced to 13 men, were hanging on as their Welsh rivals looked for the vital score to take the lead but as visitors pressed, Davies pounced after collecting Rhys Williams’s long pass to run in from long way out.

Late tries from replacement Davies and Watkins further hampered the Blues’ title chances.

Scarlets Director of Rugby Phil Davies said, “That was a great performance, very pleasing. We started very well and proved very resilient in the second half.

“We were positive throughout and our movement was good. Stephen Jones was outstanding and the balance between our kicking and moving game was spot on.”

Scarlets: Tries: Watkins (2), Davies (2). Cons: S Jones (3). Pens: S Jones (4)
Blues: Try: Rush. Con: N Robinson. Pen: N Robinson

Scarlets: Morgan Stoddart; Darren Daniel, Regan King, Gavin Evans, Matthew Watkins; Stephen Jones, Dwayne Peel; Iestyn Thomas, Matthew Rees, Deacon Manu, Vernon Cooper, Scott MacLeod, Simon Easterby (Capt), Gavin Thomas, Alix Popham

Replacements: John Davies, Ken Owens, Adam Jones, Dafydd Jones, Clive Stuart-Smith, Ceiron Thomas, Barry Davies

Blues: Ben Blair; Rhys Williams, Jamie Robinson, Tom Shanklin, Chris Czekaj; Nick Macleod, Mike Phillips; Gethin Jenkins, T Rhys Thomas, Gary Powell, Bradley Davies, Deiniol Jones, Scott Morgan, Martyn Williams, Xavier Rush (Capt)

Replacements: Scott Roberts, Gareth Williams, Mark Lewis, Robin Sowden Taylor, Wayne Evans, Mark Stcherbina, Nicky Robinson