By Paul
January 5 2003

Swansea simply couldn't contain a rampant Llanelli side at Stradey Park on Friday night, in an eight try thriller. Ebbw edged out Pontypridd, with a try eight minutes from time. Outside half Scott Mitchell claiming the only try in an uneventful clash at Sardis Road.

After a blistering opening from the Scarlets, it was always going to be up hill struggle for the Jacks. Irish scrum half Guy Easterby led the Turks charge, with a well timed break before being hauled down, the recycled ball found it's way out wide and then the other Easterby brother eased over for the opening score.

The ferocity of the home sides start had really stunned Swansea, and it was little surprise when Barry Davies collected his own kick seemingly unopposed, the resulting recycled ball was sent out wide for Davies to take advantage of the overlap.

Although Gavin Henson continued his excellent kicking form slotting over two penalties. But a missed tackle by the stand-off proved costly as Leigh Davies brushed him off on the way to sending fellow centre partner Matthew J Watkins over for their third try.

Even if he can't tackle, one thing Matthew Robinson does have is pace. The twice capped winger was on the end of a Gavin Henson pass, although the try was given by Nigel Williams replays showed Robinson's feet were clearly in touch.

The second half was similar to the first in the fashion in which the home side dominated, a try from the eventual man of the match Guy Easterby mainly thanks to a charge from replacement Scott Quinnel. Dafydd Jones, playing open side flanker piled over from a line out to continue the onslaught.

Minutes later Garan Evan's was to complete his sides scoring, crossing in the corner. Mark Taylor's try gave the scoreline a more respectable look, but in truth it was little consolation to the whites, who like Cardiff must be finding it hard to see where they go next from yet another defeat.

Ponty on the other hand are a side used to winning and must have been quite confident ahead of their clash with Ebbw Vale. The Valley commandos gave a debut to the forgotten Kingsley Jones.

But instead of hammering Ebbw, they were involved a game of minimal quality. A frustrating first half produced only a penalty kick apeice.

Brett Davey gave the home side the lead, only for Vale's outside half Scott Mitchell to leave the Ponty defence sprawling, for his sides third major upset of the season. For the Ponty version of things click here

Ebbw go second, but they have played six games in comparison to some sides that have only played three. Full Table click here.

For a full report of the Celtic League clash between Neath and Cardiff click here

Round up:

Llanelli 45: B Davies; M Jones (M Thomas, 73), M Watkins (M Cardey, 65), L Davies (capt), G Evans; S Jones (G Bowen, 71, G Easterby (D Peel, 55); I Thomas, R McBryde, J Davies, V Cooper, C Wyatt, S Easterby, D Hodges (S Quinnell, ht), D Jones.
Scorers: Tries - S Easterby, B Davies, Watkins, G Easterby, D Jones, Evans; Cons - S Jones(5), G Bowen; Pen - S Jones.

Swansea 23: K Morgan (R Rees, 48); M Robinson (A Thomas, 64), M Taylor, S Gibbs, S Payne; G Henson, S Cordingley (R Jones, 72); D Morris (capt) (D Dorsey, 67), C Balshen (C Wells, 48), B Evans, J Slade, J Thomas, C Charvis, J Bater, D Thomas (R Jenkins, 72).
Scorers: Tries - Robinson, Taylor; cons - Henson(2); pens - Henson(3).

Referee: Nigel Williams(WRU).
Attendance: 6,471

Pontypridd 6 Ebbw Vale 10

Back to Europe next week.....