Rugby Union: Moon in ascendant

Llanelli . .20

Swansea. . .13

RIVALRY between these two great West Wales clubs has always seemed more congenital than congenial, and the sound and fury of yesterday's exciting match not only signified that but it was further spiced by the fact that Llanelli could have disappeared from contention for leadership in the Heineken Welsh League.

It was pull yourself together time at Stradey Park. The home supporters could see the nightmare scenario of their side disappearing from the top four and consequently from the possibility of taking part in the Super League, which may or may not be approved by the Unions concerned.

Llanelli won, largely because they preyed alertly on Swansea's mistakes. Rupert Moon, their captain, recovered much of his lost form and spent the afternoon snapping away and encouraging behind his forwards, who at times looked dangerously close to being overrun by the skilful surging drives and handling of the Swansea pack, in which the hooker Garin Jenkins and Paul Arnold were the leading lights. However, as the game wore on the Llanelli pack improved.

Swansea, however, made too many mistakes, two of which were punished by tries. Nevertheless, they were in the game to the end.

At the beginning Swansea were in no mood to take chances and kept driving the blind side. However, when they did move the ball wide, the flanker Robert Appleyard lost the ball in a tackle and the new signing Jason Strange, nipping in, fed Ian Jones, who raced 50 yards for a try in the corner.

After a penalty goal by Aled Williams for Swansea, Llanelli scored their best try when Lyn Jones fed Moon, who tore upfield and passed to Scott Quinnell, who charged for the line. From the maul, Moon again launched the ball wide and the winger Andrew Richards scored wide out to make it 17-3 at half-time.

In the second half Williams kicked another penalty which was cancelled by another by Strange, and Swansea snatched a good try when Appleyard stole away on the blind side for a try converted by Williams.

Llanelli: Tries I W Jones, Richards, Strange; Conversion Strange; Penalty Strange. Swansea: Try Appleyard; Conversion Williams; Penalties Williams 2.

Llanelli: I W Jones; A Richards, S Davies, N Davies, W Proctor; J Strange, R Moon (capt); R Evans, A Lamerton, H Williams-Jones, P Davies, A Copsey, P Jones, S Quinnell, L Jones.

Swansea: A Clement (capt); M Titley, I Lewis, S McIntosh, S Davies; A Williams, R Jones; I Buckett, G Jenkins, R Shaw, M Evans, R Moriarty (S Moore, 78 min), A Reynolds, P Arnold, R Appleyard.

Referee: R Yeman (WRU).