Rugby Union: MIGHTY MADDEN POWERS SCARLETS TO EURO CHANCE; LLANELLI

PACEY prop Martyn Madden proved influential in keeping Llanelli on course for Europe.

An opening-minute try for Madden and his prominence in other scores contributed to the downfall of Edinburgh at Strady Park.

The hard-earned success keeps Llanelli in fifth spot in the Welsh- Scottish League, which will guarantee a place in next season's Heineken Cup again.

Edinburgh fielded nine internationals but failed to improve on their miserable record in Wales.

A spirited revival in the second half when they rallied to level the scores at 28-28 was not enough to trouble Llanelli.

Scarlets skipper Scott Quinnell's surges were proving difficult to contain.

Another of the club's internationals, fly-half Stephen Jones, finished with a decisive haul of 18 points from four penalties and three conversions.

Prominent in Edinburgh's revival was elusive Scottish full-back Chris Patterson, who scored two tries.

Llanelli had the perfect start, crossing for a try from the kick- off. Madden finished off a marvellous move with a 30-metre burst to the left corner after Quinnell had made a storming surge from his own half.

They set up a 20-7 interval lead with Vernon Cooper adding a try and Jones successful with a brace of conversions and penalties.

Ednburgh came back into the game with converted tries from Patterson, Martin Leslie and Conan Sharman.

Neil Boobyer scored a try for LLanelli before Patterson got his second to level.

But tries from Daffydd James and David Hodges secured Llanelli's victory.

Copyright 2001 MGN LTD
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.