Bristol sink Scarlets
Sunday, 28 Oct 2007 19:44
The Scarlets were undone by conceding two first-half tries
Bristol began their EDF Energy Cup campaign with an 18-11 win over Llanelli in the Memorial Stadium.
The home side, who led 15-3 at the break, scored two tries through Lee Robinson and Andrew Blowers.
David Hill kicked a conversion and two penalties for Richard Hill's side.
The Scarlets touched down in second-half injury time through Morgan Stoddart to earn a bonus point.
Rhys Priestland and Wales out-half Stephen Jones slotted over penalties for the Welsh side.
Phil Davies, the Scarlets' director of rugby, admitted his side were dreadful.
"We didn't provide a platform in any aspect of the game," Davies said.
"There are a lot of disappointed guys in the dressing room and we need to dust ourselves off and be better next week.
"I don't think we played smart rugby and should have chipped away at the scoreboard with all the penalties we had."
Elsewhere, Harlequins edged past London Irish 10-8 at the Madjeski Stadium.
All the points came in the first half with Quins crossing the line through Chris Hala'ufia, which was converted by Adrian Jarvis.
Phil Murphy touched down for the Exiles with Jeremy Staunton missing the conversion and then sending a penalty wide.
Peter Richards had a try disallowed for the Exiles after referee Roy Maybank penalised the scrum half for an earlier shove.
Brian Smith, the Exiles director of rugby, blasted the referee's decision to deny Richards against his former club.
"Peter Richards should have been awarded his try but we didn't take our chances in the second half and were frustrated by random refereeing decisions, but we didn't help ourselves because we turned the ball over in their 22," Smith said.
"On five or six occasions in the game we had a chance to turn pressure into points inside their 22 and we didn't take them, so with all the intent in the world and coming here wanting to play, we have to be better than that."