Will power proves too strong in derby clash

SWANSEA...........................38 LLANELLI............................10

SWANSEA celebrated a comfortable bonus-point victory over Llanelli in the festive West Wales derby.

It was the home side who embarked on the first attack and Will Griffiths collected a closerange line-out to send fellow lock Jay Williams crashing over for the opening try.

The Whites’ second try came from a calamitous error at a lineout.

Jon Fox picked up loose possession at the tail and threw a short pass to J Rhys Williams, who touched down under the posts.

Despite the early setback, it was Llanelli who dominated at the scrum in the early stages and Declan Smith cut the gap with a penalty after the Swansea pack was driven off the ball. The visitors attempted to attack from deep and Clayton Blommitjies chased down a chip through, but Ellis Thomas failed to release the ball after the tackle.

Matthew Aubrey found touch deep inside the Llanelli 22 with a penalty and an unstoppable maul saw Fox crash over for a try.

Jonny Lewis was then penalised for holding onto possession after the tackle and J Rhys Williams kicked the three-pointer.

Another lengthy touch finder by Aubrey gave the home side one final attack before half-time, but Llanelli managed to defend the line-out and forced Swansea into touch.

The theme of Swansea attacks continued in the second half as the home forwards mauled towards the line, only to be illegally brought down. Aubrey turned down a simple kick at goal to chip to the corner and Joe Miles was yellow-carded for a professional foul.

The visitors were awarded a penalty after the Swansea defence crept offside in midfield. Steff Hughes kicked to the corner and from the line-out Ellis Thomas powered over for a try.

Swansea secured a bonus point when Will Griffiths charged down a chip through and Ryan Griffiths raced over halfway. He found Gareth Rees, who sprinted into the 22 and threw a short pass to send Aubrey over for a try.

Tom Williams rounded off the victory with a superb solo effort as he ghosted past two tacklers to score under the posts.