Rugby Union: McBryde lifts Llanelli

Llanelli 21 Dunvant 16

Llanelli avoided adding the ignominy of a cup exit at the hands of lower-grade opposition to an already troubled season, but the crucial pair of tries by skipper Robin McBryde and David Hodges in three second- half minutes belied an otherwise lethargic performance.

The sparse crowd were no doubt mindful of the plight of Gwyn Jones, the stricken flanker who was first capped while a Llanelli player in January 1996, and their sombre mood was hardly lifted by a Scarlets effort which did little service to the nine-times winners' proud cup reputation.

Dunvant's motivation, if any was needed against their near neighbours, was bolstered by the hurt that the club still feel over their relegation from Premier Division status in the muddled final weeks of last season.

The visitors, who lost no fewer than 14 players in the summer as a result of their fall, lived on or over the off-side line all afternoon. It was Llanelli's task to find a way round those tactics and they were ultimately thankful for a wholehearted display by the back row of Hodges, Ceri Davies and Hywel Jenkins.

The habit of Llanelli's line-out jumpers, Vernon Cooper and Chris Wyatt, of skipping several steps back on the throw may have put their markers off but it also did little for the peace of mind of the scrum-half Aled Thomas.

In loose play, Llanelli were also their own worst enemies, with a number of dropped passes including one by Daniel Rogers in the 15th minute when the left wing had the line at his mercy. Dunvant's response was to take the lead with a 35-metre penalty by Simon Daniel, and the outside-half went on to score all his side's points.

Hodges bounced off two would-be tacklers to score Llanelli's first try from a short penalty move, Frano Botica converting, before Daniel, with two minutes of the first half left, profited from the mess Llanelli made of a line-out in their own 22. Dunvant stole the ball and although the flanker Stuart Jenkins was well tackled by Cooper he was able to slip the ball to Daniel, who went over without a hand laid on him and converted.

With 56 minutes gone, Llanelli stretched Dunvant left, then right, to create enough space for McBryde to barge his way over, Botica converting, then Hodges broke clear from 30 metres out for a converted try which put daylight between the teams.

There was a mini standing ovation for the Llanelli prop Hugh Williams- Jones, as he left the field for the last time before retiring, but still Llanelli were unconvincing. Two penalties by Daniel did not quite amount to a comeback but they gave the Scarlets the jitters all the same.

Llanelli: S Jones; W Proctor, N Boobyer, N Davies, D Rogers; F Botica, A Thomas; A Jones, R McBryde (capt), H Williams-Jones (S Gale, 56), V Cooper, C Wyatt, D Hodges, C Davies, H Jenkins.

Dunvant: L Copner; E Harris, A John, B Maddox, D Evans; S Danial, A Killa; R Llewellyn (capt), D Chick, K Allen (J Veitayaki, 60), L Williams, P Matthews (M Glover, 60), P Morris, S Jenkins (G Bennett, 75), P Middleton.

Referee: H F Lewis (Pontypridd).