There will be no Heineken Cup action for the Scarlets next season after their 39-16 home defeat by Cardiff Blues – unless the Blues can go on to win the Amlin Challenge Cup.
A 12th defeat of the regular Magners League season means the Scarlets, champions in 2004, will finish the season as the lowest ranked Welsh region.
The announcement the day before the local derby that Stephen Jones had pledged his future to the club until 2012 gave the team and their fans a huge boost and it took the Welsh outside half a mere 11 minutes to make his mark when he sent centre Regan King dancing over for a try he converted to give his side a 7-0 lead. By the break it was 16-15 in the home side’s favour, but after that it was all about the Blues.
They added three second half tries to those scored before the interval by Jamie Roberts and Deiniol Jones as they romped to another impressive bonus point victory. They moved into sixth place in the table with their victory and still have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the Play-Offs with two matches left to play.
Jones added two penalties and a drop goal to his earlier conversion, but there were no more points in the game for the Scarlets in the second half. The Blues, however, plundered 24.
Roberts ended with two tries for the visitors, but it was his centre partner Casey Laulala who picked up another Man of the Match award for his mesmerising play in conjunction with his Wales and British & Irish Lions midfield comrade.
Tongan prop Tau Filise and Wales scrum half Richie Rees grabbed the Blues’ other tries and there was even worse news for the Scarlets late in the game when Jones damaged his right leg and had to be replaced.
