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 | | Tuesday, 16 April, 2002, 18:20 GMT 19:20 UK Thomas saves Scarlets' blushes  Marcus Thomas forces his way over the Pontypridd line Llanelli 26-20 Pontypridd Llanelli stayed on course in their treble quest for two cups and the Welsh/Scottish League title but had to come from behind to see off rugged Pontypridd. The victory - which completed a double over Pontypridd - allowed the Scarlets to climb back into top spot. Llanelli, with their line-up again a mess for most of the first half, were 14-3 down midway through the half.
The home side were rocked by two super tries from centre Sonny Parker, who showed the vision and pace to cash in on so much uncertainty around him. But by half-time the lead had shrunk to a point after hooker Marcus Thomas crossed for a try at the front of a Pontypridd line-out and Gareth Bowen added a conversion to his opening penalty goal. When the impressive Parker failed to appear in the second half because of a leg injury, Pontypridd found the going much tougher as Llanelli upped the pace. The visitors' cause was not helped when lively prop Gethin Jenkins spent 10 minutes in the sin-bin and the Scarlets cashed in on his absence to score a second try through Thomas, converted by fly-half Bowen.
Pontypridd recovered some of their earlier poise to make a game of it when Brett Davey landed two penalty goals, but the full-back fluffed the chance to level the scores when he sent an easy goal chance wide. Bowen made no such mistake when given a chance at the other end with the last kick of a match. However, the performance left his side with plenty to think about ahead of their Heineken Cup semi-final against Leicester later in the month. Llanelli: Barry Davies; Garan Evans, Tal Selley, Salesi Finau, Mark Jones; Gareth Bowen, Guy Easterby; Phil Booth, Marcus Thomas, John Davies, Luke Gross, Chris Wyatt, Simon Easterby, Ian Boobyer, Scott Quinnell (capt). Pontypridd: Brett Davey; Gareth Wyatt, Sonny Parker, Jason Lewis, Gareth Jones; Nicky Little, Gareth Baber (capt); Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Sven Cronk, Michael Owen, Robert Sidoli, Nick Kelly, Glen Remnant, Corey Harris. Reps: Paul John, Ceri Sweeney, Nuttall, Mefin Davies, Duncan Bell, Brent Cockbain, Richard Parks. Referee: Phil Fear (WRU). | |
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