Chris Wyatt is surrounded by Ebbw Vale defenders

Captain Guy Easterby, being watched from the stands by Ireland coach Warren Gatland, tried to inspire his side, and some early pressure was rewarded by a close-in scrum.

From it, a long pass from Neil Boobyer gave Wayne Proctor the chance to squeeze past Andrew Wagstaff and score in the corner.

Mitchell missed two chances to put Ebbw Vale back in front, before Proctor struck again.

Guy Easterby and Neil Boobyer were again central to the move and the former Wales wing brushed off a weak challenge by Wagstaff to score in the corner.

Mitchell, who had taken the fly-half role at Ebbw Vale from the departed Jason Strange and Shaun Connor, brought the score back to 10-6 with a 22nd minute penalty, but Llanelli always appeared to have the upper hand.

A fine break by Simon Easterby, also being put under the spotlight by Gatland, was ended by a thundering tackle on Marcus Thomas by Matt James, before Ebbw inched closer with another Mitchell penalty.

Llanelli, stirred by the half-time team talk conducted by assistant coach Nigel Davies, started the second half with a bang and Gareth Bowen slotted over four quick penalties to put them 22-9 in front.

Phil Booth on the charge at Stradey

Ebbw Vale were now under constant pressure, and they twice resisted runs from Salesi Finau before Ian Boobyer wriggled over for Llanelli's third try on the hour and Bowen converted.

But the Steelmen showed their attacking prowess straight from the kick-off and a scything break from Rhys Shorney enabled Paul Williams to go over at the posts, with Mitchell converting.

The respite was brief though, and Finau, Chris Wyatt and Neil Boobyer went over for tries, with Bowen converting one.

Llanelli: Tries: W Proctor (2), I Boobyer, S Finau, C Wyatt, N Boobyer. Pens: G Bowen (4). Con: G Bowen (2).

Ebbw Vale: Tries: P Williams. Pens: S Mitchell (3). Con: S Mitchell.