Rugby Union: Scarlets in a black mood: After Quinnell: Llanelli and Wales face up to life without their main man at a time when the sport must act to heal divisions

Llanelli . . .20

Pontypool. . .32

THEY were not exactly wearing black ties at Stradey Park yesterday, but the mood was sombre and reflective following the defection to rugby league of Scott Quinnell, one of the brightest young stars of Welsh rugby. To add to Llanelli's woes, Pontypool hit them with a 17-point burst in the first 15 minutes and went on to win by a street against a home side surprisingly deficient in defence.

So, the best young forward in Wales and their best young back, Scott Gibbs, have gone north in the space of five months. Since 1986, the Principality have lost 16 international players to rugby league. This includes eight players who would probably be in the present Welsh team; David Young, Paul Moriarty, Richard Webster, Quinnell, Jonathan Davies, Alan Bateman, John Devereux and Gibbs. It is hardly surprising therefore that Welsh rugby is demoralised and twitchy by the plundering of their best players.

The Llanelli coach, Alan Lewis, told me yesterday that Quinnell was an obvious target as his style of driving play and low body positions was ideal for league. He added that he felt the amateur ethos has gone and that uppermost in Quinnell's mind was the fact that Gibbs was forced to accept a lower offer than he was originally made because of injury.

Quinnell's 19-year-old brother, Craig, another great prospect, told me that Scott reached his decision after many family conferences and he went with the blessing of the whole family. This might raise a few eyebrows, considering that father Derek, a former international, is such an establishment figure and a Welsh rugby union selector. His son's departure flies in the face of the union's policy to do whatever they can to retain their players.

There is, however, the possibility of a hidden agenda. There is a feeling that an antipathy exists between the caucus which runs the game in Wales and the Welsh team management, coaches and players, and this has caused a simmering discontent in the national sqaud. The feeling now is that if Scott Quinnell can go north, then anybody can.

Few can see any difference between Quinnell going north and Robert Jones giving up his job and going to play and work for Western Province in the summer.

Happily, Quinnell had the courtesy to inform his coach and his club before they read it in the papers. It will, however, surely begin another round of recriminations throughout Welsh rugby and it is also becoming increasingly obvious that Welsh rugby can only survive when rugby union becomes professional.

Against this backdrop, it was hardly surprising that Llanelli looked so dispirited and were run ragged by a Pontypool team who are obviously on the mend and rediscovering their hunger to win. Llanelli were out-thought in the pack and out-played in midfield where Mark Ring, as ever, was a brilliant playmaker and has made the Pontypool midfield a force to be reckoned with.

A penalty goal, a penalty try and a sensational running try by Paul Jones with Jason Williams succeeding with all three kicks, put Pontypool in the pole position after 15 minutes which they retained for the course of the game. Another penalty goal by Williams and a Gareth Taylor try converted by Williams made it 27-0 at half time. Although Llanelli clawed back 13 points with a penalty goal by Colin Stephens a try by Simon Davis and a conversion and penalty goal by Stephens, Pontypool made victory secure with another try by Gareth Taylor.

Llanelli had the last word with a Neil Boobyer try, converted by Stevens, but this was a mere spot of relief after a miserable couple of days.

Llanelli: I Jones; I Evans, N Boobyer, S Davies, W Proctor; C Stephens, R Moon (capt); R Evans, P Young, H Williams-Jones, P Davies, L Williams, A McPherson, I Hembrow, A Varney.

Pontypool: J Williams; P Taylor, L Jones, M Taylor, B Taylor; M Ring, W Morris; S Haile, M Jones, J Jones, J Ridley,C Billen, M Squire, G Taylor, M Taylor.