Welsh stars spoil Glasgow's hopes

Glasgow 18 Llanelli Scarlets 31

Wales’ World Cup star Stephen Jones wrecked Glasgow’s hopes of kick-starting their Celtic League campaign.

The stand-off, who proved a handful for England in his duel Down Under with Jonny Wilkinson, was the big difference between the sides at Hughenden.

Not only did he slot a sequence of vital goals, he was also the slick link between the powerful Scarlets pack and their talented backline.

Watched from the stand by Rangers manager Alex McLeish, the Welshmen stormed into the attack from the outset and threatened to blow Glasgow away in quickfire fashion.

But a combination of desperate home defence and crucial spilled passes kept the damage to a minimum.

Jones was inches wide with a long-range penalty attempt after Andy Henderson wandered offside.

But Jones made instant amends by setting up the first try for centre Tal Selley, who had plenty of time and space to cruise to the target from 35 metres out.

Warriors had another scare when Glenn Metcalfe sent a loose pass into his own danger-zone, but Rory Kerr spared his blushes by scooping it up and clearing.

Glasgow eventually strung together a series of raids, but could only muster a penalty by Calvin Howarth for their efforts.

The Scarlets replied through Jones in identical style before tighthead prop John Davies was driven over for their second touchdown, Jones slotting the conversion from a tricky angle.

Warriors hit back positively to claw back a brilliantly-worked try by wing Sean Lamont.

Graeme Beveridge wrongfooted the Llanelli markers with a dash to the narrow side before Lamont ducked inside two challengers to dive across.

Howarth slotted the extras to narrow the gap to just five points – only to see Jones bang over his second penalty five minutes from the break.

There was still time for Howarth to follow suit from close in the restore the margin.

The penalty ping-pong continued as Jones completed his treble from virtually under the crossbar.

At the other end, Howarth shook his head in disbelief as his well-struck long-range shot crashed back off the upright.

And when Jones was on-target again five minutes later, it seemed there was no way back for the Warriors.

Matt Watkins added try number three, goaled by Jones to snuff out any chance of a home revival.

Substitute Joe Beardshaw ploughed over for a Glasgow try, but it was too little too late.