Llanelli beat champions Munster
Jones pulled the strings in the Llanelli midfield
Also In The News
|
Random House, translated from the Russian by Arch Tait, hardback, 323 pages, £17. |  |
Friday, 30, Mar 2007 10:54
Llanelli beat defending champions Munster in their Heineken Cup quarter-final showdown at Stradey Park 24-15.
The Scarlets dominated the first period and led 17-0 at half time before the Irish side mounted a comeback to ensure at tense finish.
Dafydd James scored the first try as early as the fifth minute. The Scarlets pack drove towards the Munster line before Dwayne Pell lofted a cross-field kick for James to score in the corner.
Barry Davies added a penalty before the Scarlets crossed the whitewash again just before half time. Gavin Thomas made light work of a short-range burst that gave his side an easy try after more good play from the forwards.
Ronan O'Gara pegged the scores back with a penalty after the break and Munster reduced their arrears further with a try after 66 minutes.
A smooth phase of passing amongst the Munster backs freed Christian Cullen who fed Ian Dowling for the score, although the final pass looked to have gone forward.
Llanelli responded with a breakaway try finished off by Davies which helped them regain their advantage, which was stretched further thanks to Stephen Jones' conversion.
Munster got another try through Donnacha Ryan but it was too little too late as the champions were sent crashing out.
Llanelli will now face either Leicester Tigers or Stade Francais in the semi-finals.
In the European Challenge Cup Newcastle lost 24-19 to French side Clermont Auvergne. Despite boasting a number of England players in their back division the Falcons could only muster one Jamie Noon try and four Jonny Wilkinson penalties.
Indiscipline in the second half cost the Falcons as Clermont fly-half Brock James put paid to their European dreams with four penalties to seal the victory.