Llanelli began to play themselves into European Cup form with a comprehensive victory at Stradey Park

Pontypridd actually started the stronger of the two sides, stunning the Scarlets with a second-minute Sonny Parker try.

But their forwards struggled to compete and win quality ball and the home side soon closed the deficit.

The Llanelli lead was just 24-17 at half time, but they ran away with it in the second period as the visitors tired and made numerous mistakes.

The home forwards hammered into Ponty after the opening shock, captain Scott Quinnell to the fore.

With improved possession the ball was spread and the outside centre/wing combination of Dafydd James and Mark Jones created havoc

In the 19th minute Jones made a break and was able to offload well to the supporting James who crossed for his side's first try.

Tongan prop Ngalu Tau replied for Ponty to put them back into the lead, but a Llanelli try on the stroke of half time set the standard for the rest of the game.

Dafydd James was able to repay his debt to Jones, storming up the middle before freeing the wing. Some deft footwork allowed Jones to cross.

Lose heart

Ponty seemed to lose heart in the second half and the mistakes flowed.

Just four minutes after the break one of their attacks broke down in midfield. Rupert Moon fed the ball quickly to Jones who stormed clear for his sixth try of the season.

Accurate kicking from fly half Stephen Jones extended the gap, and in the 58th minute a dispirited Pontypridd defence could do nothing to stop powerhouse Salesi Finau's short-range run.

Llanelli prop John Davies was sin binned in the 61st minute after losing his patience with the visitors killing the ball on the ground.

His footwork on the man on the floor was not appreciated by referee Nigel Whitehouse, who had already blown his whistle for a Llanelli penalty.

The loss of a player made little difference to the game, though. Ponty continued to make mistakes and when some shocking handling in midfield saw them lose the ball Garan Evans pounced for the home side's fifth try.

Young flanker Dafydd Jones got their last try minutes later, a popular score for the man who had come in to replace Alex Bennett.

These sides will approach their European campaigns next week in very different moods.

Scorers - Llanelli: Tries: D James, M Jones (2), S Finau, G Evans, D Jones; Cons: S Jones (4); Pens: Jones (5)

Pontypridd: Tries: S Parker, N Tau; Cons: L Jarvis (2); Pens: Jarvis (2)

Teams

Llanelli: M Cardey, M Jones, D James, S Finau, G Evans, S Jones, R Moon, P Booth, R McBryde, J Davies, C Gillies, C Wyatt, D Jones, S Quinnell (capt), I Boobyer
Replacements: D Williams, M Thomas, V Cooper, M Buckingham, G Easterby N Boobyer, A Lawson

Pontypridd: C Williams, R Johnston, S Parker, J Lewis, J Colderley, L Jarvis, P John (capt), N Tau, F Vunipola, P Graham, W James, R Sidoli, M Lloyd, R Parks, M Owen
Replacements: R Neville, B Davey, J Evans, C Loader, G Rowlands, B Cockbain, R Field

Referee: N Whitehouse (WRU)

Att: 3,500