Scarlets centre Matthew Watkins moved into contention for a Test recall with a superb performance in front of Wales coach Mike Ruddock at Stradey Park.
Watkins scored a try and had a hand in two others as the Scarlets ran riot against a brave but out-classed Edinburgh side to get their Celtic League campaign back on track after two losses. The former Newport centre is in the mix to add to his six Test caps in the autumn as Ruddock weighs up his options in the absence of league star Iestyn Harris, and his performance last night was out of the very top drawer.
The opening exchanges belonged to a fired-up Scarlets side, and the Scottish visitors were staring at a 0-8 scoreline after barely five minutes. Arwel Thomas slotted an early goal and winger Tal Selley crossed in the corner after a terrific break from Watkins.
Edinburgh hit back through a Chris Paterson goal, but the rampant Scarlets extended their lead in the 20th minute when Watkins plucked an Edinburgh pass out of the air and jogged 25 metres for the simplest of tries. Barely 60 seconds later, Thomas scored under the posts after a Watkins chip and the home side were 22-3 ahead against an Edinburgh side who were well out of their depth. Paterson added two penalty goals to narrow the gap as the Scarlets went off the boil in the second quarter, but were lucky not concede a fourth try just before the halftime whistle as home scrum-half Mike Phillips spilled the ball with the line begging.
The Scarlets began the second half full of running but couldn't find that crucial bonus-point try as former All Black skipper Todd Blackadder rallied his troops in defence.
Edinburgh soaked up the pressure and then broke clear, scoring a long-range try to fullback Hugo Southwell and narrowing the margin to 16-22, despite having only a third of the possession and even less of the territory.
Replacement fly-half Gareth Bowen calmed the nerves of the Stradey Park crowd with a straight-forward penalty goal, and the home side finally secured a bonus point when veteran centre Mark Taylor brushed aside the defence to cross in the corner.
Llanelli Scarlets: Tries - T Selley, M Watkins, A Thomas, M Taylor, G Evans; Pens - A Thomas, G Bowen; Cons - A Thomas 2, G Bowen
Edinburgh: Try - H Southwell; Pens - C Paterson 3; Con - C Paterson
