Leeds left red-faced by Scarlets

Llanelli added to Leeds' misery with a 28-7 victory at Headingley.

Leeds 7-28 Llanelli

Powergen Cup, Headingley, Sunday October 2

Leeds' miserable start to the season continued with a 28-7 defeat to Llanelli, as the Powergen Cup provided little relief at Headingley.

Last season's Cup winners had hoped that the competition would look kindly on them once again, as the Tykes desperately search for their first win of the season.

However, Llanelli proved to be far too powerful as they ran in three second half tries to cruise home by 21 points.

Leeds boss Phil Davies has consistently promised that results will pick up as his team adapt to 'new ideas', but the home side were frankly lacking in the game plan department.

Two penalties from Gareth Bowen were all that either side could muster in a disjointed first half, as Dwayne Peel and Simon Easterby took time to find their rhythm on their first appearances since the Lions' tour.

The Scarlets came closest to a breakthrough before the interval, but the ball was dropped close to the try line after a good break from Matthew Watkins.

Leeds were certainly not starved of possession, but they just could not click into gear and it was only a matter of time before the Welshmen punished them after the break.

Bowen and Watkins combined effectively to open up the chance for Tal Selley to cross the whitewash and open up an 11-point lead early in the second period.

The score seemed to relax Llanelli, who began to play some quality rugby, and they soon silenced the Headingley faithful once again.

Peel made the expected impact with a trademark darting run, and prop Iestyn Thomas was on hand to finish off the move.

Leeds will need to draw on their more experienced players to lead them out of their early-season crisis, and more will be expected from the likes of Iain Balshaw and Justin Marshall.

However, the former was guilty of careless play for the third Scarlets try, as his pass was intercepted by Watkins, who ran under the posts.

Rob Rawlinson grabbed a late consolation for the Tykes, but their opponents had long settled into cruise control by that point.

Leeds: (0) 7
Tries: Rawlinson
Cons: De Marigny

Llanelli: (6) 28
Tries: Selley, Thomas, Watkins
Cons: Bowen 2
Pens: Bowen 2
Drops: Bowen