Dai Flanagan’s side had worked so hard to reach the last eight of the British & Irish Cup and travelled with a strong side led by No 8 Morgan Allen. But after that bright start they fell apart as they conceded 12 tries in an unexpected 84-7 hammering by the English Championship outfit.
Five of the home side’s dozen tries came in the closing 10 minutes as they reached the semi-finals for the first time. They hit back from their early set-back to lead 25-7 at the break on their fast-paced, plastic pitch.
But if the half-time score represented a good recovery, the second half turned into a showcase of their full range of talents. They ran in nine more tries as they put the Scarlets’ side to the sword.
Among the home try scorers were former Wales and Dragons wing Will Harries, ex-Dragons and Cross Keys wing James Cordy-Redden, ex-Wales 7s and Ospreys centre Aled Jenkins, Wales U20 and Dragons scrum half Josh Davies and former Bridgend and Ospreys flanker Arthur Ellis.
Cardiff Blues Premiership Select XV broke their duck for the season in a re-arranged Pool match at London Scottish where they triumphed 24-21 thanks to a last-gasp penalty from outside half Jarrod Evans. Tries from Aled Summerhill, Pele Cowley and Ben Leung hoisted the Blues in to a 21-7 lead, but the home side hit back to level before Evans kicked the match winner.
