CELTIC CUP

SCARLETS A slipped to a second Celtic Cup defeat in three as they went down 16-10 against Leinster A at Parc y Scarlets.

The West Walians conceded a third-minute try to centre Connor O’Brien, converted by fly-half Noel Reid. Full-back Morgan Williams reduced the deficit to 7-3 before Reid’s penalty put the visitors 10-3 up at half time.

Reid slotted a further penalty five minutes into the second period, with Williams sin-binned in the process, and the lead was extended by Reid to 16-3 just before the hour mark as the home side again incurred the wrath of referee Mike English.

Declan Smith scored a converted try between the posts with nine minutes remaining after great work from Wales international wing Steffan Evans, but it came too late to spark a revival. There was also defeat for Cardiff Blues A who lost 7-3 against Ulster A at the Arms Park.

In an error-strewn opening half, the sparse crowd were served up some quality rugby on 18 minutes when turnover ball on their own line saw the ball move quickly across the Ulster three quarters for wing Aaron Sexton to run the length of the field, Michael Lowry converted the only score of the first half.

In a disappointing game of rugby, both teams persisted with driving rugby but the strong defence of Ulster A won the day.

The only score of the second period came for the Blues with a Ben Jones penalty, while wing Tom James held the most threat in the back line and Shane Lewis-Hughes put in a strong performance up front in what was otherwise a day at the office to forget for the Blues, with this their second defeat from three.

Elsewhere Garin Lloyd’s late try snatched a dramatic 27-22 victory for the Ospreys Development side against Connacht Eagles in Athlone.

Dragons A went down to their second defeat in three – well beaten 34-17 by Munster A in Cork.