Scarlets (31) 58
Tries: R Thomas 2, McCusker, J Davies 2, King 2, Turnbull, Lamont Cons: Priestland 5 Pens: Priestland
Connacht (3) 10
Tries: Griffin Cons: Keatley Pens: Keatley

Regan King goes over as the Scarlets run in nine tries

The Scarlets ran in nine tries to post their record Magners League victory as they overwhelmed hapless Connacht at Parc y Scarlets.

Connacht retain hopes of a place in the Heineken Cup next season if they can finish above Irish rivals Ulster.

But they were a clear second best as Rhys Thomas, Jonathan Davies and Regan King each grabbed a try brace.

Connacht replied through Eoin Griffin with Ian Keatley adding a penalty and conversion.

Victory took the Scarlets off bottom place and sent Connacht back to the foot of the table

The visitors, with a much-changed team from the side that beat leaders Leinster in their previous game, were simply no match for the Scarlets.

Nigel Davies' side produced power, pace and skill to overwhelm their opponents in the opening period.

And after a season that began in rehabilitation from surgery, the first 40 minutes proved a personal triumph for prop Thomas.

The tight-head went over for the opening try after Priestland put his side ahead with an early penalty.

Midfield trio King, Priestland and Davies combined to set up the attack and as Connacht struggled to realign, Thomas burst through from 15 metres out to score a try awarded by the video ref. Priestland converted.

When Daniel Evans spun away from a ruck, flanker McCusker was on hand to power over and Priestland added the extra points.

Man-of-the-Match King then showed his deft skills, drawing two defenders before putting centre partner Davies in the clear.

Priestland converted and Connacht's first points came from a Keatley penalty. But the Scarlets underlined the dominance when hooker Matthew Rees' inside pass gave front-row colleague Thomas the chance to squeeze in at the corner.

Rhys Thomas powers over for the Scarlets' first try

Priestland's conversion gave the hosts a 31-3 lead at the break and they were soon adding to the tally.

King raced over after Sean Lamont made headway and although Griffin struck back with an excellent try for the visitors, the Scarlets were too far ahead.

Centre Davies crossed for his second try as the Connacht defence went awry and hard-working flanker Josh Turnbull then took his reward.

King showed his power to make the line for his second try that took the Scarlets past the half-century mark.

And wing Lamont finished off the Scarlets' afternoon in style as he made the most of a tired Connacht defence.

Scarlets: Evans; Lamont, King, J Davies, Fenby; Priestland, Roberts; I Thomas, Rees, R Thomas, Reed, Welch, McCusker, Turnbull, Lyons.
Replacements: L Williams for Fenby (66), Newton for Priestland (71), Knoyle for Roberts (66), John for I Thomas (59), Phillips for Rees (67), Manu for R Thomas (59), Day for Welch (59).

Connacht: Bibo; O'Halloran, Griffin, Nathan, Tuohy; Keatley, O'Loughlin; Loughney, Flavin, Morris, Nolan, Upton, Browne, Ofisa, McComish.
Replacements: Campbell for O'Halloran (52), Nikora for Keatley (50), D Murphy for Flavin (66), Higgins for Morris (45), McKeown for Ofisa (50).
Not Used: O'Connor, Wynne.

Att: 5,032

Ref: Andy MacPherson (SRU).

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