Celtic LeagueLlanelli Scarlets 32 Cardiff Blues 13Llanelli Scarlets welcomed in 2006 with an impressive, bonus-point victory to re-ignite their Celtic League challenge. In a match between the two in-form sides in Wales, it was the men from the west who came through the stronger.
The Blues had led 13-10 going into the final quarter of a pulsating contest, but tries by Kiwi Regan King, a breakaway by centre partner Matthew Watkins and scrumhalf Dwayne Peel sealed the contest.
In front of their largest crowd of the season, the Scarlets made a blistering start with prop Martyn Madden driving over inside the second minute.
Outhalf Gareth Bowen hit the upright with the conversion, before Nicky Robinson pulled a penalty attempt.
The Blues, who went into the game on the back of a four-match winning run, enjoyed plenty of possession, but failed to make it tell against aggressive defence.
They were made to pay for that by another superb solo score by fit-again Wales wing Mark Jones, who rounded opposite number Craig Morgan, chipped over fullback Rhys Williams and then won the race to the touchdown for the try of the game on 20 minutes.
Cardiff responded four minutes before the interval thanks to a penalty from Samoan international Roger Warren, a replacement for the out-of-sorts Nicky Robinson.
Warren cut the lead to four points two minutes after the restart, and then, after Dafydd Jones was sin-binned for an offence at a ruck, the Blues took immediate advantage.
A strong lineout drive split the home pack and international flanker Martyn Williams was on hand to twist over. Warren was again on target with the kick and all of a sudden the Blues were in the box seat.
They should have extended their advantage shortly after, but failed to nail a clear overlap and the Scarlets somehow held out.
The Scarlets were then guilty of missing their own gilt-edged opportunity, but made amends when number eight Alix Popham sent King racing over in the 64th minute.
It got even better for the Stradey faithful with a fourth and bonus-point try three minutes later. A cross-field kick found the arms of wing Mark Jones once more, he flipped the ball inside to centre Matthew Watkins and he had enough pace the race half the length of the field for the score.
To add to Cardiff's misery, flanker Williams was sin-binned for obstructing his international team-mate Dwayne Peel. And Peel had the final word, diving in at the corner in injury time.
Scorers: Llanelli Scarlets: Tries: Madden, M Jones, King, Watkins, Peel. Cons: Bowen 2. Pens: Bowen; Cardiff Blues: Tries: M Williams. Cons: Warren. Pens: Warren 2.
LLANELLI SCARLETS: Madden; Rees, J Davies, Afeaki, Wyatt; D Jones, Easterby; A Popham, Peel, Bowen, M Jones, King, Watkins, James, Byrne. Replacements: Dunlea, Hawkins, A Jones, Mills, Stuart-Smith, Hercus, B Davies.
CARDIFF BLUES: Jenkins; R Thomas, M Jones, Quinnell, Sidoli; A Powell, M Williams; Rush, R Powell, N Robinson, Lomu, Stcherbina, J Robinson, Morgan, R Williams. Replacements: Yapp, Goodfield, D Jones, Sowden-Taylor, W Evans, Davies, Warren.
Referee: Nigel Owens (WRFU).
