Boobyer catches Bridgend on rebound

Heineken Cup semi-finalists Llanelli clawed their way into the last four of the Welsh domestic knock-out competition for the 23rd time in 31 years yesterday, but only after surviving an unscripted siege of their Stradey Park stronghold by unfancied Bridgend. The Scarlets, record 11-time winners of the event now known as the Principality Cup, had to come from behind to win 46-24 in order to qualify for a semi-final meeting with either Pontypool or Ebbw Vale at the Millennium Stadium on 13 April.

Bridgend led 21-18 after a superb first half during which tries from Adrian Dorston and Aesea Havili put them 12-3 ahead within a quarter of an hour. Llanelli replied with two touchdowns inside four minutes, both by flanker Ian Boobyer, but Craig Warlow's accurate goalkicking gave Bridgend the edge. After the break, a seven-minute purple patch earned Llanelli 20 points as Stephen Jones kicked two penalties and also converted tries by Mark Jones and Garan Evans. The Wales fly-half went on to claim a personal haul of 20 points as Bridgend's possession and points dried up in a rousing finale. In the end, there was little they could do to prevent Gareth Bowen from scoring the Scarlets' fifth try deep in injury time.

Caerphilly's hopes of a performing a giant-killing act were thwarted as Parker Pen Shield semi-finalists Pontypridd powered to an entertaining 46-31 win at Sardis Road to earn a Millennium Stadium appointment, also on 13 April, with Cardiff, 20-14 victors over the holders Newport on Friday night.

The former Caerphilly full-back Brett Davey kicked five penalties and two conversions for the home team as part of a crucial 19-point tally. Sonny Parker ran in two of Pontypridd's five tries while Gareth Jones, Nigel Simpson and Paul John also went over. Andrew Williams replied with a brace of touchdowns for Caerphilly and Roddy Boobyer and Tauna'holo Taufahema joined him on the scoresheet. The remainder of their points were kicked by Luke Richards.

The BT Scotland League champions Hawick stayed on course for a double with a bruising 27-13 home success over Currie in a BT Cellnet Cup semi-final. Currie rattled their hosts with an early try by Mike Duncan before Hawick took control to secure a Murrayfield cup-final date next month against either Glasgow Hawks or Heriot's FP, who meet today in the other semi-final. Hawick, who dominated the second half, eased through thanks to 17 points from the boot of Neil Stenhouse and tries by Nikki Walker and Colin Turnball. Currie's other points came via a Duncan penalty and a try in the final minute from Eric Milligan.

Rotherham are in an impregnable position at the helm of National League One after their 61-0, nine-try romp over Moseley at Clifton Lane. The Yorkshire side hold a 12-point lead over second-placed Worcester, who helped themselves to eight tries en route to a 46-22 eclipse of Bedford. Exeter remain third, a further eight points adrift, after their 34-19 victory over London Welsh at Old Deer Park.

The champions Cork Constitution held on to their one-point lead in Ireland's AIB League after beating Buccaneers 16-10. Their main rivals Shannon kept up the pressure by winning 28-20 at Terenure.

The All Blacks' tight-head prop Kees Meeuws, back in harness following a lengthy injury lay-off, displayed tremendous form and contributed a try to Auckland Blues' 22-20 success over hitherto unbeaten News South Wales Waratahs in the Super 12. In an all New Zealand confrontation, Waikato Chiefs surprised Otago Highlanders 29-24 while Wellington chalked up their fourth victory in six starts by seeing off Queensland 22-18.