Scarlets earn scrappy 24-13 RaboDirect PRO12 victory over Welsh rivals Newport Gwent Dragons

Gareth Maule: Scored an opportunistic try for the hosts

Morgan Stoddart: Scored a try on his return after more than a year out through injury

Tries by Gareth Maule and Morgan Stoddart ensured Scarlets claimed a hard-fought 24-13 RaboDirect PRO12 victory over Newport Gwent Dragons at a rain-soaked Parc y Scarlets on Friday night.

Maule crossed in the first half for an opportunistic try after chasing up a loose ball from a missed penalty goal, while Stoddart came on at half-time to end more than year out with a broken leg, and soon went over in the left corner.

Outside-half Steffan Jones gave the Dragons the lead on 10 minutes with a long-range 45-metre penalty, which was cancelled out by his opposite number Aled Thomas six minutes later.

But an incisive break by in-form full-back Liam Williams led to another penalty opportunity. Although Thomas's kick hit a post and failed to go over, quick-thinking Maule followed up the loose ball to score in the left corner, with Thomas adding the extras.

That lead was extended as Thomas added further three-pointers on 34 and 38 minutes as the Scarlets eased into a 16-3 advantage.

The Dragons failed to get into the opposition 22 in the first half but they responded with 10 unanswered points after the break as first Tom Prydie, who took over the kicking duties from Jones, put over a penalty to cut the arrears.

That was followed by a try for wing Adam Hughes who slid in after Williams failed to deal with Dan Evans' grubber kick - Prydie converted to cut the Scarlets lead to three points.

But the Dragons comeback was nipped in the bud when scrum-half Jonathan Evans was sin-binned for a tackle off the ball. That allowed replacement fly-half

Rhys Priestland to put over a penalty on 66 minutes and 10 minutes from full-time Stoddart ran in for Scarlets' second and decisive try.

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