The Scarlets, at one stage reduced to 13 men when both Scott Quinnell and Gavin Thomas were in the sin bin, were left reeling by a Dragons side for whom Ceri Sweeney collected all 15 points with a 100% kicking record despite the atrocious conditions.

Sweeney had opened the scoring after only seven minutes, and, with Arwel Thomas missing his only penalty chance of the game, Sweeney had extended the lead at the break to six points although the well organised Dragons defence – which was reduced to 14 men by the sin-binning of Jamie Ringer -had to withstand some intense pressure, with Quinnell to the fore in the closing stages of the half.

First Gavin Thomas and then Quinnell were sent to the bin in the second period, the former Wales No.8 for his tackle on the Dragons’ Jason Forster, which resulted in Sweeney’s third successful kick.

With Llanelli appearing shorn of attacking ideas, much as they did last week against the Ospreys, Sweeney was able to put the game beyond doubt in the closing stages with two further successful penalties.