Scarlets made to sweat
By Mark Townsend
Last Updated: 01/01/70 1:00am
Llanelli got their campaign off to a flying start with a 32-25 victory over London Irish.
Llanelli got their Heineken Cup campaign off to a flying start with a 32-25 victory over London Irish at the Madejski Stadium.
But, having led 32-6 with just 15 minutes to play, they had to withstand a late rally by the Exiles before celebrating an impressive victory.
The Scarlets made the brighter start and put together the better rugby, with Ceiron Thomas threatening with the ball in hand, in the early stages but the hosts took the lead through a Barry Everitt penalty after an infringement by Inoke Afeaki.
Stephen Jones, who had missed an earlier penalty and a drop goal attempt, drew his side level when Irish were caught offside for the Wales number 10 to pop over his effort.
Mike Catt, who was a worry with a leg injury, almost restored the lead but his poorly-struck drop hit the upright and, after 27 minutes, flanker Declan Danaher was yellow carded for a petulant knock-on.
Reduced to 14 men the home side took advantage of another Afeaki foul to move 6-3 ahead but were made to pay when Dafydd James (pictured) ran in his 25th try in the competition - a new record.
Thomas made the initial break again and, after Regan King had helped on hooker Matthew Rees' pass, the winger flew in at the corner to give the Welsh side a 10-6 lead at the break.
The visitors continued their exciting running game at the start of the second period and were rewarded when skipper Simon Easterby crashed over after just six minutes.
They looked to have gained a pushover try after another powerful scrum but, two phases later, the flanker touched down and Jones landed a superb effort from out wide.
The Exiles threatened a reply but Llanelli added a third try when Mark Jones made a sensational burst to skip round Topsy Ojo inside his own half before bursting clear and the bonus point was then secured after 58 minutes when prop Iestyn Thomas barged his way over.
Opting to run a penalty, Stephen Jones almost made his way over, then Gavin Evans was stopped short but Thomas was not to be denied from just a couple of yards out.
Jones added the conversion and then a three-pointer and, with a 26-point lead, they looked home and hosed.
However a flurry of replacements inspired the Exiles and one of them, Dan Murphy, recorded their first try of the game.
Murphy took a deep line-out and bundled over the line and seven minutes later Seilala Mapusua added further respectability with a second.
The centre darted in from outside the 22 after good work by replacements Richie Rees and Murphy and Everitt's conversion made it 32-20.
Nathan Thomas was then shown a yellow card and another replacement Delon Armitage set up a thrilling finish with a third try in 10 minutes after Pedro Tiesi, on for Catt, palmed the ball on to the winger.
Everitt missed the extras but further pressure followed and the most unlikely of draws looked on the cards.
Aidan McCullen spilled a pass late on, though, and Llanelli could finally relax.
