Llanelli secure Heineken Cup berth with victory over Blues
Llanelli secured a lace in the Heineken Cup with thier win over Cardiff
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Wednesday, 13, May 2009 10:44
Llanelli Scarlets have secured a place in next season's Heineken Cup thanks to a 30-9 win over Cardiff Blues at the Arms Park.
Winger Lee Williams grabbed a brace of tries for the visitors and also set up lock Darren Day as the visitors ran away with the match in the second half.
In reply all Cardiff could muster was three penalties from Ben Blair as the weight of fixtures for the Blues in recent weeks appeared to catch up with them.
Cardiff started the better of the two sides with their pack helping them earn two penalties inside Scarlets territory which Blair slotted through the posts for a 6-0 lead.
Llanelli fly-half Rhys Priestland managed to reduce their arrears with a penalty of his own and the Scarlets were soon ahead thanks to Williams' first try.
Scarlets captain David Lyons created space with a barging run up the middle before the ball reached Williams on the touchline. Although he appeared to lose control of the ball as he crossed the line the video referee awarded the try.
The Scarlets then extended their lead just before the break with another Priestland penalty to go in 11-6 ahead.
The visitors took advantage of Blues lock Robin Sowden-Taylor being in the sin bin at the start of the second half to score their second try.
Williams burst through the midfield and Day was on hand to cross the whitewash.
Blair tried to get the Blues back in the game with a penalty but Llanelli's challenge was strengthened with the introduction of Iestyn Thomas, Simon Easterby and Matthew Rees off the bench.
Their experience helped stop the Blues from scoring and a tackle by Jon Davies on his own try line caused Ceri Sweeney to fumble the ball. Williams scooped it up and ran the length of the field to score their third try.
Llanelli gained a bonus point in the dying moments when Darren Daniel also profited from a lose ball inside his own half to score another breakaway try.
The result means Newport Gwent Dragons must play-off against an Italian side to secure themselves a place in the Heineken Cup.