Blues (17) 17
Tries: Roberts, Morgan
Cons: Blair 2 Pen: Blair

Llanelli Scarlets keep their slim Magners League title hopes alive with a crushing bonus point victory over rivals Cardiff Blues at Stradey Park.

The Scarlets scored 20 unanswered points in an emphatic second-half display with Wales fly-half Stephen Jones kicking 15 points.

Jamie Roberts and Scott Morgan scored to give the Blues a half-time lead.

But Dwayne Peel and Dafydd James scored after the break to add to tries from Iestyn Thomas and Gavin Evans.

Interview: Scarlets director of rugby Phil Davies

The Blues, whose number one target is Europe this season, have not won on the road in the Magners League since their victory at the Dragons six months ago.

And this defeat seriously dents their title chances while the Scarlets leapfrog the Arms Park side into second place in the table behind runaway leaders Leinster, who also secured a bonus victory on Friday against Glasgow.

606: DEBATE How does that result affect both teams in The Magners League?

Dai Young rested his Welsh Grand Slam stars for their visit to Stradey as the Blues coach has one eye on their crucial Heineken Cup quarter-final clash in Toulouse on April 6.

But while Tom Shanklin, Martyn Williams and Gethin Jenkins put their feet up, another Welsh international took his chance and actually gave the Blues an early breakthrough in Llanelli.

Rookie winger Jamie Roberts collected former Wales captain Gareth Thomas' deft off-load five yards from the line to dive over in the corner.

But a break from centre sensation Regan King gave the Scarlets a quick riposte.

And some trademark quick thinking from Peel at a ruck, laid it on a plate for prop Iestyn Thomas to bulldozer his way over in the 11th minute for his second score in three games.

The Blues were clearly not affected by the hosts' quick response as lock Scott Morgan almost immediately crashed over for his first try of the campaign.

Ben Blair's second conversion, like his first, was good but the Scarlets proved how desperate they want to succeed domestically as another great break set up their second try.

Morgan Stoddard showed Grand Slam-winner Lee Byrne there is a rival to his Wales full-back throne as he broke free to allow centre Gavin Evans score his first try of the season.

A Stephen Jones conversion was followed up by a superb penalty from the veteran Wales fly-half who dragged the Scarlets back into a thrilling encounter, despite being down to 14 men as lock Adam Eustace was in the sin bin.

Kiwi Blair's penalty ensured Cardiff an interval lead but the Scarlets' international half-back combination sought to it that the visitors' lead did not last long.

We were sensational, electrifying at times Scarlets director of rugby Phil Davies

A routine penalty from Stephen Jones was quickly followed up by an interception try from his long-time partner in crime Peel.

The Lions star capitalised on a loose Blair pass to gallop from inside the 10 metre line for his first try since he revealed he would leaving his beloved Stradey for Sale Sharks at the end of the season.

Stephen Jones, as he has done for so long for both club and country, complimented his good friend with an immaculate conversion.

Experienced winger Dafydd James rounded off the Scarlets' success as he finished a flowing move started by the excellent Stephen Jones.

Stoddard and King could have made the victory more comprehensive, nevertheless the win sets up an enthralling top-of-the-table showdown with Leinster at Stradey next week.

Scarlets director of rugby Phil Davies:
"I am really pleased at the bonus point victory because I thought we were sensational, electrifying at times. It is more pleasing because it is against a quality side like the Blues.

"We wanted to play the ball with tempo and in their half and I can't fault the ambition of my players. To play with that kind of tempo, intensity and intent after not playing for a few weeks was pleasing.

"It was important to get a bonus point win and it makes things interesting at the top of the Magners League table. Don't discount the Blues, though, because they are still up there which is great for Welsh rugby."

Blues director of rugby Dai Young:
"In attack we didn't keep the ball, we got turned over far too often and lacked a cutting edge but defensively was our biggest disappointment.

"We put ourselves in some good positions but the money balls eluded us. We must be more accurate and clinical if we're to come to places like Stradey Park and win.

"The Magners League title wasn't won or lost here but the defeat makes it more difficult for us and we've put ourselves under undue pressure."

Llanelli Scarlets: Stoddart, James, King, G. Evans, Brew, S Jones, Peel, I Thomas, Schwalger, Manu, Eustace, Reed, D Jones, G Thomas, Popham.
Replacements: Watkins for Brew (54), Priestlend for S Jones (79), Cattle for Peel (79), John for I Thomas (39), Rees for Schwalger (52), MacLeod for Reed (52), Bater for D Jones (79).

Cardiff Blues: Blair, J Roberts, J Robinson, G Thomas, Selley, Macleod, Rees, Yapp, R Thomas, G Powell, D Jones, Morgan, Molitika, Sowden-Taylor, Rush.
Replacements: Stcherbina for Selley (71), Flanagan for Macleod (52), Spice for Rees (52), G Williams for R Thomas (60), Filise for G Powell (60), Lewis for Molitika (69), White for Sowden-Taylor (49).

Att: 8,445

Ref: Tim Hayes