Llanelli cruise past the Borders

Borders 8 Llanelli 41

Llanelli inflicted more misery on The Borders as they cruised to yet another easy win at Netherdale.

The Scots had hoped to atone for their thrashings in the Heineken Cup, but could not cope with the pace and power of the Welshmen.

Scarlets raced off to a stunning start, rocking the home side with two tries inside the first six minutes.

Garan Evans broke the deadlock when he touched down in the right-hand corner before Matthew Watkins also took advantage of the hesitant Borders defence to add a second try, which was converted by Gareth Bowen.

However, the home side shook off the early setbacks to work their way back into the contest.

Both Tanner Vili and Gary Armstrong were blocked out just short of the line - but it was third time lucky as Doddie Weir squeezed over.

Vili was wide with the goal attempt, and Borders’ frustrations deepened when Gareth Morton missed a penalty.

Irish referee Marshall Kilgore was then forced to brandish his yellow card twice in quick succession.

Borders skipper Andy Rennick was first to depart for deliberate obstruction - then Llanelli star Salesi Finau was cautioned for throwing a punch.

The hosts had to soak up heavy pressure in the build up to the break, but they earned a glimmer of hope when Vili landed a penalty against the run of play.

But they were killed off by another two-try burst just after the restart.

First, Mark Taylor glided past his markers for a simple score converted by Bowen – who then added a penalty.

Finau made sure of the bonus point after ripping the ball from Vili’s grasp, before the referee had to bring out his card again.

Scarlets prop Iestyn Thomas and Borders’ Semo Sititi dismissed for their part in a mass bust-up.

Taylor and Jon Thiel bagged late touchdowns for Llanelli, with Bowen adding both goals to round off the rout.