Llanelli Scarlets completed a hat-trick of home Welsh victories in the opening round of the EDF Energy Cup with a comfortable bonus-point win over struggling Harlequins at Stradey Park.

A below-strength Quins made the Magners League leaders work hard for the five points, but in the end a confident Scarlets side proved too strong.

Last year's finalists were not at their best however, and will know they will have to raise their game with two tough away ties against Newcastle and Sale Sharks to come in the group.

Both sides had enjoyed contrasting fortunes going into the Group C game.

The Scarlets were riding high at the top of the Magners League table, while Harlequins have yet to register a win on their return to England's top-flight.

Quins director of rugby Dean Richards opted to rest some of his leading personnel, including Wales centre Hal Luscombe and powerful French lock Nicolas Spanghero.

But Quins gave an early indication of their interest in the match when Tongan number eight Chris Hala'uifa knocked out young home centre Gavin Evans with a high hit in just the second minute.

However, it did not take long for the home side to get into their stride with the Magners League's leading try-scorer Darren Daniel opening Llanelli's account.

The 20-year-old wing did superbly well to gather a pass which bounced behind him before racing in at the corner.

Fly-half Jones missed with the conversion, but the Scarlets added a second try on 20 minutes through Tongan lock Inoke Afeaki.

Quick line-out ball was the key, although video referee Nigel Whitehouse took an eternity before finally awarding the score.

Jones converted to make it 12-0 and only some sloppy handling prevented further home scores.

Harlequins saw their problems increase when centre Mel Deane was yellow-carded for slowing down ball at a ruck just before the break, but despite being a man down they struck back in impression fashion.

After pressing the home line, a clever back move saw wing Ugo Monye cut the line at an angle to cross beneath the posts.

Fly-half Adrian Jarvis converted and after spending most of the half on the back foot the Quins were back in the match at 12-7.

The English side started the second half with plenty of purpose, but the Scarlets re-asserted their position with their third try in the 50th minute.

Replacement centre Regan King produced a dazzling solo break inside the Quins 22 and put full-back Barry Davies in for the try.

The conversion from Jones made it 19-7, but Llanelli then needed a superb cover tackle from Daniel on opposite number Monye to halt a Harlequins breakaway.

It took until the 72nd minutes for the Scarlets to register their fourth and bonus point try with replacement number eight Nathan Thomas touching down from a five-yard scrum.

Jones converted to put the seal on a comfortable opening-round victory for the Welsh region.