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Rugby Union

Llanelli stung by rampant Wasps

18/11/2007

Llanelli Scarlets are bottom of their Heiniken Cup pool after suffering a 33-17 defeat to Wasps who now top the table after two successive wins.

Wasps dominated proceedings at Stradey Park running in five tries to claim a bonus point as well as snatching a vital away win.

Fraser Waters was the hero for Wasps early on, scoring two tries in the first 20 minutes. His opening try came when the Scarlets' defence missed a tackle in midfield, gifting the centre an easy route to the try-line.

Five minutes later he bagged another try when Danny Cipriani chipped into the corner. Lock Simon Shaw gathered the loose ball and fed Waters for another easy touchdown.

Simon Easterby gave the Scarlets a lifeline midway through the half after Dwayne Peel took a quick free-kick which released Mark Jones, who in turn passed to Easterby to touch down.

But Wasps regained their points advantage before the end of the half when George Skivington crossed the whitewash to make it 19-7. Stephen Jones managed to get a penalty for Llanelli but they trailed the visitors by nine points at the break.

The home side established a good platform in the second half and were able to exert some pressure on Wasps but the London side's defence held firm and they gained the decisive score on the break.

Cipriani was tackled just short of the line but was not held and he then touched down over the line following a second movement.

After some debate the television match official gave the try. Wasps then broke the Scarlets' resistance for good when Riki Flutey scored the visitors' fifth try.

Jones scored a late consolation try for Llanelli but it was too little too late for the Welsh side as they slipped to their second successive defeat in the competition.