Blues and Scarlets give Wales the edge

CARDIFF Blues ran in six tries to hand a third-straight LV=Cup defeat to Newcastle Falcons at the Cardiff City Stadium.

The home side won 45-24 with tries from Sam Norton Knight (2), Ma'ama Molitika, Richard Mustoe, Ceri Sweeney and Ben White as they moved to the top of Pool Three.

Hooker Alex Walker grabbed a hat-trick of touchdowns for the visitors with replacement Rob Vickers adding a fourth to give the Falcons a bonus point.

Both sides attempted to play an expansive game, with the Falcons spurning kicks for goal as Steve Bates gave his youngsters some experience of rugby at the top level.

But the Blues, whose starting line-up showed 15 changes from the side which won at Harlequins in the Heineken Cup last weekend, proved too strong and romped to a comfortable victory.

Teenage winger Sam Smith made it two tries from two senior starts as Harlequins ended their six-match losing run at the Madejski Stadium. Fly-half Nick Evans kicked 11 points as Quins put themselves in the mix for a semi-final spot with a 16-13 win.

Head coach Nigel Davies praised the character of his young Scarlets side after the Welsh region edged closer to the last four with an 18-13 win at Wasps.

Fly-half Rhys Priestland kicked six penalties, while his opposite number Dave Walder missed four of his five attempts at goal.

Davies said: "This experience has been huge for the young guys we've selected in recent weeks and I am delighted for them. While some times it has been painful for them in difficult games, we are seeing the rewards."

Tries from full-back Freddie Burns and flanker Akapusi Qera, plus seven points from the boot of fly-half Nicky Robinson, helped Gloucester to a 17-5 victory over Worcester at Kingsholm.