Bridgend tore into Llanelli with a passion to completely outplay last year's leading side in Wales.

The Ravens were inspired by man-of-the-match Craig Warlow, the outside-half who left Stradey Park in the summer because he was unable to win a spot in the Llanelli team.

Warlow scored 26 points, running through the card with a try, drop goal, penalties and conversions.

The platform for success was laid by an aggressive forward effort, with controversial second row Chris Stephens to the fore.

Also prominent in the pack were back-row men Molitika and Richard Bryan, whilst captain Huw Harries directed operations with confidence from scrum half.

Early lead

Bridgend were 10-0 up in the first five minutes with a try from Siua Taumalolo and conversion and penalty from Warlow.

Shell-shocked Llanelli hit back, though, Stephen Jones charging down a Warlow kick before cleverly kicking through for Dafydd James to score.

A bullocking Scott Quinnell run then gave Llanelli their second try and the lead which few expected them to relinquish, particularly as their scrum was beginning to dominate.

But the home side's aggression shocked the Scarlets and a series of penalties yielded under the pressure allowed Bridgend to ease into the lead.

The Ravens held a narrow 22-20 lead early in the second half when their centre John Funnell was sin binned, apparently for repeatedly killing the ball.

It was 14-man Bridgend who flourished, though. Following a flowing move, Durston freed Molitika - playing in the centre during Funnell's absence - who off-loaded beautifully for Simon Hill to score.

The visitors tried to come back, but the Bridgend defence was solid. The game was sealed in the 60th minute when Salesi Finau - under pressure from a heavy tackle from opposite number Gareth Jones - passed carelessly, allowing Warlow to intercept and sprint 60 metres to the line.

There was no way back from a scoreline of 41-23 and a try deep into injury time from replacement Alex Lawson - his first for Llanelli - was no more than consolation to the travelling Scarlets fans.

Bridgend: A Durston, G Jones, J Taumalolo, J Funnell, S Hill, C Warlow, H Harries (capt), A Griffiths, C Ferris, L Mustoe, P Clapham, C Stephens, R Bryan, M Molitika, O Lloyd
Replacements from: A Jenkins, G Cull, P Williams, D Jones, R Price, A Joy, J Ringer, D Niblo, T Collier

Scorers - Bridgend: Tries: S Taumalolo, S Hill, G Jones, C Warlow; Cons: C Warlow (3), Pens: Warlow (4); DG: Warlow

Llanelli: D James, S Quinnell, A Lawson; Cons: S Jones (2), A Lawson; Pens: Jones (3)

Llanelli: M Cardey, G Evans, D James, N Boobyer, S Finau, S Jones, R Moon, P Booth, R McBryde, M Madden, C Wyatt, C Gillies, A Bennett, I Boobyer, S Quinnell (capt)
Replacements: J Davies, M Thomas, V Cooper, M Buckingham, G Easterby, A Lawson, M Jones

Ref: D Davies