It's wrecker Wayne!

CARDIFF 31, LLANELLI 27

WELSH international lock Derwyn Jones was sent off in disgrace as Cardiff's Premier title dreams were blown away by Wayne Procter inside the first 37 minutes at the Arms Park.

Although Cardiff won thanks to a late, late score by Liam Botham, it did little to ease their championship heartache.

The Blue and Blacks faced Mission Impossible as they sought to make good a 120-points deficit on leaders Swansea and also prayed that the champions-in-waiting slipped up 15 miles North at Sardis Road.

But Alex Evans' men's dreams faded before kickoff with a catastrophic injury list ruling out several Welsh internationals.

After only four minutes, Scarlet outside half Craig Warlow cut loose and instigated a 30 metre Wayne Proctor run to the corner - his 99th try for the West Waleians.

Cardiff' hopes were raised as full-back Justin Thomas's line clearance put the Scarlets on the back foot.

But there were further injury worries for Cardiff inside the first 21 minutes as Lyndon Mustoe and Steve Williams staggered off to be replaced by Spencer John and Heni Taylor.

Just three minutes later Cardiff's hopes were rocked as their giant international Derwyn Jones was sent packing by Dunvant referee Robert Davies for aiming a Joe Calzaghe-style jab at Jason Hyatt.

After 29 minutes, Simon Hill's careless clearance was charged down by Proctor and he swooped to bring up an impressive century of tries in Llanelli's famous red shirt.

Lee Jarvis blasted over a 35th penalty for Evans' bunglers as they hit back, but a stirring run by the tormentor Proctor heaped on more misery.

Despite Taylor cutting arrears for Cardiff on 45 minutes, a Neil Boobyer lob and Andy Gibb's converted try boosted Llanelli's margin.

Two converted tries by Botham and Simon Hill gave Cardiff a glimmer of hope, as the crowd bayed for the blood of erratic official Davies.

Botham's last-gasp score gave 14-man Cardiff victory but it was all in vain.

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