Scarlets Lead the Way

Llanelli 37-Bourgoin 22

An impressive crowd of 8,500 turned out to watch Llanelli come agonisinginly close to qualifying for the knockout stages, but two late tries from Bourgoin, mean that when the Turks travel to Hughenden to face Glasgow on Friday night, they can still mathematically be caught

The ease and confidence in the way they set out at dismantling their French opponents was typical of their season. With a pack on top form and the boot of a refreshed Stephen Jones they easily controlled the game for long periods. Add to that the perfectly complimenting centre partnership of the bull dozing captain Leigh Davies and the exciting Matthew J Watkins, not to mention the back three of Garan Evans, Mark Jones and Barry Davies.

Two penalties of ample size for Stephen Jones, were comfortably converted without a twitch. And when club only Scott Quinnel charged over from long range, You knew who's night it was. Although a touch of over confidence may have contributed to letting the visitors back in, Kiwi centre Glenn Davies being put over, after space was exposed by outside half Alexandre Peclier perfect dummy .The early Advantage was re-stored when Barry Davies chipped on for Garan Evans to touch down. A controversial score from Dwayne Peel assured the victory, whether the scrum half was over the touchline when he scored is debatable, but the score settled matters.

Instead of pushing home, and thus qualifying on the night, they eased off. Robin McBryde was sin-binned, as they gave away two soft late tries. Only they can qualify along with Bourgoin, following Glasgow's hammering at Sale by 45 points to 3.

Swansea did manage to show some fight at Donnybrook on Friday night, born again Gavin Henson scored a great try. But on the whole the Whites were very poor. At one stage they only trailed 28-13 midway through the second half, but Leinster could run in tries at their own will. The final score showed the gulf between the sides, the Irish province strolling to a 48-19 victory.

The less said about Newport's encounter with Toulouse, the better. But just so the Black & Ambers coach Leigh Jones doesn't forget his comments before the game;

"There is no doubt about the quality of the Toulouse team. But it is about performance and if we can produce a similar performance to the first half against Cardiff on New Year's Day , I don't think anybody will stop us."

It's a shame he forget that they were playing a bunch of school boy's that day, not one of the best clubs in Europe. Exactly what planet He must be living on is open to debate, as his side were mercilessly torn to shreds in a demoralising 70-18 defeat. The home side running in ten converted tries. Tony Brown is getting little back for his investment in the club.

Cardiff look set for a European whitewash, a 33-21defeat at the Arms Park saw them lose their 9th match in 11. The news of a deal being brokered with Pontypridd, to merge next season failed to spur them on. Ulster tore the Blue & Blacks scrum apart with little resistance.

The away side took the game to Dai Young's side in the first half. Three tries, including a double from flanker McMillen and a penalty try gave them a 24-12 lead at half time. Cardiff's scores coming from Nick Walne and Matt Allen.

The second half saw a much more determined effort from the Blue & Blacks, but they made to many basic errors to ever trouble the Ulstermen.

The loudest cheer of the day from the Arms Park faithful undoubtedly came after news of Newport's defeat, which just about sums it all up.

Neath will try to play their tie with Beziers at 1pm tomorrow (Sunday), as the pitch at the Gnoll was deemed unplayable Today.

Connacht 30-Pontypridd 35

Ponty let their opponents back into the two legged affair, conceding two late tries by winger Wayne Munn.

After 15 minutes Emyr Lewis put the Commandos ahead, wing Emyr Lewis touching down in the corner. But They then suffered a major blow, when both centres Jon Bryant and Sonny Parker had to go off. Replacement Neil Jenkins added to lead, before Connacht struck back with two well taken tries through Back rower Colm Rigney and lock Rowan Frost. To give the cash strapped province a 17-13 lead at the interval.

The make shift centre combination of Neil Jenkins and Shaun James combined via Michael Owen to send Ponty back into the lead. Geraint Lewis touched down, the flanker having done much himself in the build up to it. Gareth Wyatt dumfounded the Connacht defence with a great solo run, scoring under the post's.

With fifteen minutes remaining like Llanelli, Ponty eased off and allowed Munn to score with 10 minutes remaining and another a minute from time.

In the shield Caerphilly dramatically fought back from being 25-8 down mid way through the second half to some how run out 41-28 winners over Parma.

Ebbw Vale's match against Pau, may go ahead at Eugenia Park tomorrow at 2pm, but it may be switched to first Rodney Parade and then second Llanelli.