Old rivals fail to inspire in drab derby

LLANELLI ........................ 32 SWANSEA ........................ 15

BOTH sides were well aware that defeat would mean the end of any Principality Premiership Tier Two play-off hopes and a more robust Llanelli kept theirs alive with this far from convincing win.

Gone are the days when a Llanelli verses Swansea game would attract a full house to Stradey Park – and a Parc Y Scarlets crowd of just 300 had to be content with more sweat than class.

Whilst former All Whites greats in Geoff Wheel, Stuart Davies and Keith Colclough looked on in disappointment at the general quality of the rugby, there was some comfort from the display of teenage half backs Matthew Aubrey and Phil Jones.

They and Llanelli opposite numbers Declan Smith and Ioan Hughes at least showed glimpses of quality but both camps were unhappy at the general paucity of talent on display.

Llanelli head of rugby Kevin George said: “It was a poor game, between two sides that failed to produce what they are capable of and our only consolation is the win that takes us into contention for the play offs.

“We had some good individual performers in Hughes, and flankers Josh Macleod and Tom Phillips but will need vast improvement if we are to challenge for Tier Two honours.”

It was only at the death that Llanelli got the bonus point win when centre Nathan Edwards – on for a palpably unfit Gareth Owen – burst over following a strong five metre scrum.

Earlier efforts from centre Ryan Davies, replacement hooker Craig Thomas and wing Kalum Evans had trumped touchdowns from centre Josh Martin and Aubrey

Hughes missed just one kick out of six to end up with a dozen points but there was little else for the scant crowd to enthuse about.

Next up for Llanelli is a home game with Bargoed on Sunday while Swansea head to Newport the day before.