Llanelli 34 Cardiff 25

Llanelli got the win which gifted the Welsh-Scottish League title to near neighbours Swansea.

To retain their slim interest in hanging onto their prize into the final week of the season Cardiff had to win well, while scoring tries galore.

There was never much chance of that in a sour, ill-tempered affair in which some players seemed more intent on settling personal vendettas than the result.

There was violence galore in the first half and it was a major surprise that a lenient Clayton Thomas, the referee, saw fit to sin bin only two players - warring props Martyn Madden and Garry Powell. He could just as easily have sent off a couple from each side.

Pumped-up Llanelli, still smarting from a 65-16 thumping when Cardiff last visited Stradey Park, played as if they had a point to prove as both clubs withdrew their Lions. For Graham Henry's sake it was probably just as well.

Amid the frequent fighting there was some inventive rugby and the Scarlets went a long way towards sealing revenge with tries from full back Matt Cardey and wing Salesi Finau in a four-minute spell mid-way through the first half.

Cardiff had got the first try a few minutes earlier through flanker Wayne Fyvie and had a second on the stroke of the break via centre Jamie Robinson.

Inside a minute of the restart they were ahead through a dropped goal by Mike Rayer, but as the violence subsided and the ball was thrown about thrillingly, Llanelli responded immediately with a try by lock Craig Gillies to take a lead they were not to lose as they went on to dominate the final 40 minutes.

It brought them four penalty goals by Stephen Jones to which Cardiff could only reply with a Rayer penalty and a consolation prize for Craig Quinnell right at the end.