WELSH PREMIERSHIP Llanelli (14) 20 Tries: Peel, Clapham. Cons: G. Bowen 2. Pens: G. Bowen 2. Bridgend (20) 41 Tries: G. Thomas, Horsman, Molitika, van Rensburg 2. Cons: Cull 4. Pens: Cull 2. Att: 2,500

Bridgend took a big step towards lifting the Welsh Premiership title with a bruising win over Llanelli at Stradey Park.

It was Bridgend's first league win at the ground for nearly 10 years, but they did not pull clear of a weakened home side until the final moments.

Llanelli, with just three survivors from their Principality Cup-winning 15, got the first try, a sparkling score after 12 minutes.

Lock Luke Gross, hooker Aled Gravelle and wing Salesi Finau all played major roles in a long period of pressure and it was left to second-row Paul Clapham to finish off against his former club.

Bridgend, unbeaten in 10 league matches, responded strongly with prop Chris Horsman burrowing over in the 27th minute.

With national coach Steve Hansen watching in the stands, Wales' scrum-half Dwayne Peel then turned on the style, crossing for a superb individual score from 25 yards.

Bridgend had their chances to draw level before the break, only to spurn a four-on-one overlap with the try line at their mercy.

They had to be satisfied with a short-range Gareth Cull penalty.

The visitors made no mistake after the break, however, with two stunning strikes inside the opening four minutes.

Number eight Shawn van Rensburg crossed for the first of his two tries, then skipper Gareth Thomas intercepted from his own 22 and raced an opposed to the post.

Cull extended the lead to 27-14 with a second penalty, before Bowen responded with two of his own for the Scarlets.

It set up a grandstand finish in which Llanelli pressed strongly, but Bridgend held on and score two more tries at the death through van Rensburg and flanker Maama Molitika.

Bridgend: G Cull; D Bishop, S Taumalolo, G Thomas (capt), A Carter; C Warlow, H Harries; C Horsman, A Joy, P Booth, R Jones, N Budgett, M Molitika, S van Rensburg, C Harris.
Replacements: G Thomas, Loader, D Jones, Powell, Martens, Mannix, B Phillips.

Referee: Hugh Watkins (Birchgrove)