Stephen Jones pulled the plug on Bath's European hopes at a rain-soaked
Recreation Ground as Llanelli sailed into the Heineken Cup semi-finals.
The Scarlets' Welsh international fly-half repeated his heroics of a fortnight
ago when he tamed Leicester Tigers and booked Llanelli's quarter-final place.
This time, 1998 European champions Bath were his victims as he followed an
eight-from-eight penalty exhibition against Leicester with an identical return
to secure last-four status.
He also added an injury-time drop goal for good measure, giving him all 27
points as just reward for a masterful display.
Jones' deadly accuracy ruthlessly punished Bath's indiscipline. They never got
to grips with either the stamina-sapping conditions or Llanelli's forwards.
He put Llanelli 18 points ahead before Bath flanker Gavin Thomas scored the
game's solitary try on 67 minutes, but it proved scant consolation.
Any prospect of a late Bath revival collapsed courtesy of Jones' eighth
successful strike, awarded although television replays suggested it had not gone
over after bouncing off the post and then crossbar.
Bath skipper Mike Catt cost his side those points, being penalised for
dissent, and that summed up the home team's frustrating afternoon as Llanelli
claimed a semi-final spot for the second time in three seasons.
After beating both Leicester and Bath, the Scarlets need not have any fears of
what awaits them in the penultimate knockout round.
Bath though, struggling badly in the Zurich Premiership and eliminated from
English rugby's domestic Powergen Cup, could now see their season drift into
oblivion.
The quarter-final tie was given an early-morning green light by Irish referee
Alan Lewis after three pitch inspections yesterday ultimately led to him calling
things off at lunchtime.
There was no sign of yesterday's surface water on the pitch and Llanelli's
travelling fans again turned out in force -- some 16 coach-loads arrived from
Stradey Park -- following a frustrating 24 hours.
Jones' prolific right boot dominated the opening quarter, the Wales fly-half
kicking three quickfire penalties, his first after touch judge David McHugh
spotted Thomas punching a Scarlets player.
Bath desperately needed a territorial foothold, yet Llanelli were in no mood
to relinquish control as Jones landed his fourth successful penalty on 21
minutes.
A searing Catt break then promised more than it delivered -- supporting centre
Mike Tindall was bundled into touch -- but Llanelli comfortably coped with any
Bath threat, boosted by the cushion of a 12-point lead.
Another Jones penalty before the break was cancelled out by Bath centre Olly
Barkley, yet a 15-3 interval advantage totally confirmed Llanelli's dominance in
all departments.
It took Bath 27 minutes to find a position in Llanelli's 22, but when they got
there, the Scarlets had sufficient defensive organisation and tackling power to
keep them at bay.
Bath coach Jon Callard predictably took action for the second-half, sending on
internationals Mark Regan and Dan Lyle as substitutes.
Llanelli immediately lost their full-back Garan Evans, who had suffered a
heavy knock just before the break, and Barry Davies replaced him before Jones'
sixth penalty restored Llanelli's 15-point advantage on 44 minutes.
And with their forwards continuing to contain the Bath pack, Callard made
another double substitution, calling for scrum-half Gareth Cooper and wing Tom
Voyce.
Another Jones strike made it 21-3, and Bath had to throw everything into
attack.
Yet Llanelli's magnificent commitment and determination was summed up when
scrum-half Guy Easterby pulled off a stunning try-saving tackle on Barkley.
Bath pressed and pressed in search of a score and it finally arrived 13
minutes from time when Thomas collected Catt's pass for a try which Barkley
converted.
It was too little too late, though, Llanelli closing out the game to a raucous
chorus of the Welsh national anthem from their elated fans.
As disgruntled Bath supporters drifted quietly away, the Llanelli players
returned to salute their travelling hoardes, returning from the dressing room
complete with Welsh flag.
It was the Scarlets' day, leaving Bath with red faces and coach Callard facing
some serious questions about his future.
Teams:
Bath: Perry, Balshaw, Barkley, Tindall,
Maggs, Catt, Williams, D. Barnes, Long, Emms, Borthwick, Grewcock, G. Thomas, Gabey, N. Thomas.
Replacements: Voyce for Tindall (53), Cooper for Williams (53), Regan for Long (40), Dorsey for Emms (74), Lyle for Gabey (40).
Not Used: Hopcroft, Thirlby.
Tries: G. Thomas.
Cons: Barkley.
Pens: Barkley.
Llanelli: G. Evans, Proctor, N. Boobyer, L. Davies, Finau, S. Jones, G. Easterby, Madden, McBryde, J. Davies, Cooper, Wyatt, Hodges, S. Easterby, Quinnell.
Replacements: B. Davies for G. Evans (41),
Booth for Madden (77), D. Jones for Hodges (77).
Not Used: Thomas, Gross, Peel, G. Bowen.
Pens: S. Jones 8.
Drop Goals: S. Jones.
Att: 8,200
Ref: Alan Lewis (Ireland).
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