Kevin Morgan shredded Ebbw Vale as 10-try Swansea tightened their grip at the top of the Welsh-Scottish league.

Morgan, overlooked by Wales despite their problems at full-back this season, sent Graham Henry a clear message with a sparkling try-scoring performance.

And just as he did against Pontypridd in the Principality Cup, Morgan threatened every time he had the ball, taking full advantage of any loose kicks Vale directed his way.

Irish squad member Shaun Payne also stood out with a hat-trick of touchdowns to take his haul for the season to 15.

It all added up to a miserable return to St Helen's for Vale coach Mike Ruddock, who led Swansea to such success during the first half of the 1990s.

Incessant pressure

The visitors did their best to keep the score down and did manage a couple of consolation tries through wing Andrew Wagstaff, but Swansea were in a different class.

With the wind behind them, the Whites dominated the first half, running the ball at every opportunity as Vale came under incessant pressure.

Payne went over for two of his tries and Scott Gibbs, Geraint Lewis and Richard Rees crossed to leave the league leaders 37-3 in front at the break.

Remonstrate

Payne's first score was set up by a searing break from Morgan, who ran an ill-directed kick out of defence back at the visitors.

The full-back was also involved in Richard Rees' try, sending the wing clear from 60 metres with the Vale defence floundering.

Ruddock ran on the pitch to remonstrate with referee David Davies after Lewis had powered over from a short-range scrum.

The Vale coach was angered that replacement Mark Jones was not allowed to join lay immediately after an injury to Tyron Morris.

Vale made some headway with the elements behind them after the interval but could not live with Swansea's extra pace.

Scorers - Swansea: Tries: K Morgan, R Rees, Gibbs, Payne 3, Lewis, Charvis, R Jones, Weatherley. Cons: C Rees 6. Pens: C Rees 2.

Ebbw Vale: Tries: Wagstaff 2. Cons: Connor 2. Pens: Strange.

Teams:

Swansea: K Morgan; R Rees, M Taylor, S Gibbs (capt), S Payne; C Rees, S Martens; D Morris, G Smith, C Anthony; T Maullin, J Griffiths; P Moriarty, G Lewis, C Charvis.
Replacements: R Jones, S Winn, D Wetherley, B Evans, G Jenkins, L Jones, D Thomas.

Ebbw Vale: P Matthews, A Harris, G John, J Hawker, A Wagstaff, J Strange, R Smith, I Thomas, L Phillips, M Jones, C Billen, D Jones, G Green, N Budgett, T Morris.
Replacements: M Jones, A Phillips, B Morris, Edwards, Connor, G Betts, Harries.

Referee: D Davis (RFU)

Attendance: 3,500