TWO FOR TOM AS CARDIFF SHOW CLASS
CARDIFF’S impressive start to the season continued as they comfortably overcame a struggling Llanelli outfit 33-10 at Parc y Scarlets. Steve Law’s side scored five tries courtesy of Barney Nightingale, Sam Beard, Morgan Allen and Tom Habberfield (2), while Gareth Thompson kicked eight points.
All Llanelli could muster were two first-half tries from speedster Tom Rodgers and all-action flanker Nathan Hart.
“We played well in the first half but couldn’t get a foothold in the game during the second 40 minutes,” said Llanelli head coach Paul Fisher.
“There are a lot of positives in our game but we need to play for the full 80 minutes.
“We need to get back on the horse with a win next weekend.”
After a scoreless first quarter, Cardiff centre Nightingale broke the deadlock as he broke through the Llanelli defence to run in unopposed from 20 metres, with Thompson converting.
But the hosts forced their way back into the game and Wales Sevens star Rodgers showed tremendous pace to beat three defenders for Llanelli’s first try. Llanelli now had their tails up and after some nice interplay between backs and forwards, openside flanker Hart touched down beneath the posts to give the hosts a 10-7 lead at the interval.
Cardiff ’s pack began to gain the ascendancy and after a period of sustained pressure, former Dragons and Edinburgh centre Beard crashed over. Thompson added the extras.
Law’s side extended their lead when scrum-half Habberfield dummied at the base of the ruck before sniping through the middle to touch down for a converted try.
Despite some valiant defence from the hosts, powerful No. 8 Allen smashed his way over the line to secure the bonus-point try, with Thompson again successful with the conversion.
But Cardiff weren’t finished as they spread the ball through the hands, with former Ospreys man Habberfield touching down to rub salt into Llanelli’s wounds.
LLANELLI: Tries: T Rodgers, N Hart. CARDIFF: Tries: B Nightingale, S Beard, T Habberfield (2), M Allen. Cons: G Thompson (4).