Principality Cup quarter-final Llanelli (22) 49 Tries: D Jones (2), M Watkins (2), B Davies, G Evans. Cons: S Jones (5). Pens: S Jones (3). Neath (10) 17 Tries: G Morris, D Tiueti. Cons: S Connor (2). Pen: Connor. Att: 4,687

The home side celebrated their confirmed stand-alone status in front of the Stradey crowd, spinning the ball in the sunshine to run in six tries.

The All Blacks had beaten Llanelli twice at the Gnoll this season, but have not won at Stradey in three years and rarely threatened on this occasion.

Fly-half Stephen Jones controlled proceedings throughout and missed just one kick on his way to 19 points, as the Scarlets sent a chilling message to Perpignan ahead of next Friday's Heineken Cup quarter-final.

Early adventure from deep in their own half saw young Llanelli hooker Aled Gravell free Garan Evans beautifully down the right.

The winger kicked ahead, and when Shane Williams missed the chance to ground the ball Dafydd Jones pounced for the opening try.

It took until the 20th minute for Neath to secure field position and clean ball, but they immediately took advantage.

We brought some tempo into the game Llanelli coach Nigel Davies

Fast, smooth passing along the back line drew in Garan Evans, allowing Adrian Durston to send Gareth Morris on a clear run to the line. Shaun Connor converted to level the scores.

A Stephen Jones kick edged Llanelli ahead, but a 30th-minute penalty for James Storey's high tackle on Salesi Finau was booted to touch.

Dafydd Jones got hold of the ball from the Scarlets' dangerous driving lineout and broke through the weak All Black defence for his second try.

A Connor penalty dragged Neath back, but on the stroke of half-time a moment of magic from Wales centre Matthew Watkins stunned the visitors.

Morris put in a loose kick which Watkins pounced on, shimmied past the first tacklers, then sprinted home under the posts from a full 80 metres.

Jones only missed one of nine shots at goal

Neath brought on Lyndon Bateman and Steve Jones during the break, but barely had time to feel the effects of their half-time oranges when Stephen Jones tore them open with a classic run-around break.

A perfect chip over the advancing cover allowed Barry Davies to follow up and outpace Gareth Morris for the Scarlets' fourth try.

Two more Jones penalties took the home side out of sight, before Dave Tiueti caught the sleeping defence with a try under the posts.

It was a brief respite. With Neath throwing caution to the wind they were caught short of numbers from turnover ball, allowing Watkins to sprint clear for his second score - just 50m for him to run this time.

Two minutes later excellent hands from Leigh Davies freed Garan Evans in the corner, the successful conversion taking the score to 49-17 and leaving the crowd baying for 50 points.

It was not to be as the All Blacks held out for the final 12 minutes. The failure has been the only disappointment for Scarlets fans in the past fortnight.

Llanelli: B Davies; G Evans, M Watkins, L Davies (capt), S Finau; S Jones, D Peel; P John, A Gravell, M Madden, V Cooper, C Wyatt, D Jones, S Quinnell, S Easterby.
Replacements: Yelland, J Davies, J Cudmore, I Boobyer, G Easterby, G Bowen, T Selley.

Neath: A Durston; G Morris, D Tiueti, J Storey, S Williams; S Connor, A Moore; P James, A Matthews, A Jones, A Newman, G Llewellyn (capt), A Mocelutu, J Ringer, S Tandy.
Replacement: P Horgan, K James, S Jones B Sinkinson, L Bateman, A Millward, H Jenkins.

Ref: David R Davies (Llanbraddach)