By Nabil Hassan

Morgan Stoddart holds off the tackle of Lee Robinson (right)

Bristol (15) 18
Tries: Robinson, Blowers
Cons: Hill (1)
Pens: Hill (2)

Scarlets (3) 11
Try: Stoddart
Pens: Priestland, Jones

First-half tries from Lee Robinson and Andrew Blowers helped secure an 18-11 EDF Energy Cup victory for Bristol over the Scarlets, at the Memorial Stadium.

Richard Hill's side led 15-3 at the break, with David Hill adding a penalty and a conversion for Bristol.

The Scarlets mounted a fightback in the second half but Bristol defended well against relentless pressure.

But the Welsh side did earn a losing bonus point courtesy of Morgan Stoddart's injury-time try.

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It was the Scarlets who got the first points of the afternoon, with young outside-half Rhys Priestland sending over a penalty after Bristol had been caught offside.

But just a few minutes later his opposite number Hill cancelled that out to get the home side on the board.

The Welsh side then took the game by the scruff of the neck and that pressure almost resulted in the first try of the game.

But hooker Matthew Rees had his try ruled out by the television match official and moments later Priestland missed with his second penalty.

Bristol made the Scarlets pay, wing Robinson came close to going over in the corner but like Rees, had a foot in touch as he went for the try-line.

He made no mistake a few moments later though as Bristol took the lead.

Great work from the home pack saw a five-yard scrum turned over and a combination of quick hands and accurate passing from the Bristol three-quarters saw Robinson go over in the corner.

Hill missed the kick but made no mistake a few minutes later, converting Blowers' try.

Just before the break the Scarlets looked to have got back into the game but Bristol centre Rob Higgitt superbly tackled Matthew J Watkins with the try line at his mercy.

The Scarlets brought on Wales outside-half Stephen Jones after half-time and he had an immediate impact, sending over an early penalty to reduce the deficit.

But Hill restored the 12-point lead a few minutes later with his second penalty of the game.

As the game wore on the Scarlets continued to press but lacked the killer instinct to break down their hosts.

The penalty count against Bristol increased as the Scarlets pressure grew and eventually referee Tim Hayes lost his patience and Maori centre Neil Brew was the unlucky man to be sent to the bin.

It gave the Scarlets a man advantage but they failed to capitalise as they continued to break down a resilient Bristol defence.

With the game lost, they did manage a losing bonus point courtesy of Stoddart's injury-time try.

"In the first half they certainly did that, scoring two tries, and the boys had a lot of commitment and good attitude - this was probably the best we have played for a long time.

"The attitude and commitment in defence was outstanding and we held on right to the bitter end to secure the win."

"There are a lot of disappointed guys in the dressing room and we need to dust ourselves off and be better next week.

"I don't think we played smart rugby and should have chipped away at the scoreboard with all the penalties we had."

Bristol: T. Arscott; Robinson, Brew, Higgitt, Morgan; Hill, Perry; Clarke, Blaney, Crompton, Llewellyn, Hohneck, Budgett, El Abd, Blowers.
Replacements: Hogan for Clarke (66), Linklater for Blaney (59).
Not Used: Attwood, Phillips, Thomas, Strange, Eves. Sin Bin: Brew (65).

Llanelli Scarlets: Stoddart; M. Jones, King, G. Evans, Watkins; Priestlend, Peel; John, Hayter, Manu, Cooper, Eustace, Easterby, Edwards, D. Jones.
Replacements: James for Watkins (40), S. Jones for Priestlend (40), Douglas for John (51), Rees for Hayter (40), MacLeod for Eustace (51), Popham for Edwards (51).
Not Used: L. Davies.

Att: 7,139