Super Scarlets Cling on For Second Festive Derby Success

For the first time in two years, Cardiff Arms Park boasted a sell-out for this huge New Years fixture. Head Coach, Wayne Pivac named a different side to that one that played on Boxing Day, with Scott Williams captaining the side, and scorer of the winning try last week, Josh Macleod rewarded for his efforts with a start in the back row along with James Davies and Will Boyde. Last week’s disciplinary meeting resulted in Steff Evans receiving a 4-week ban for his red card offence leaving Tom Prydie and Paul Asquith to play on the Wing as Johnny McNicholl suffered a shoulder injury at the end of the match, but is hopeful of being fit for the Dragons’ game on Friday.
It was the Blues that were offered the first opportunity to put points on the board, as the Scarlets were penalised for an offence at the ruck. Gareth Anscombe slotted over the easy penalty attempt to give the home team an early 3 points to 0 advantage.
The Scarlets were very unlucky not to be awarded a penalty shortly after as the Scarlets took full advantage of a charge-down to hoof the ball towards the Blues’ try line. Ex-Scarlets Hooker, Matthew Rees raced back for the Blues, but clearly held on to the ball, however, referee, George Clancy allowed the home team to clear their lines.
The speed of Gareth Davies from the base of the scrum was paramount in the scoring of the first try of the afternoon. His blistering pace left the Blues’ defence behind before he off-loaded the ball to Tom Prydie who crossed the whitewash. Leigh Halfpenny added the extras to give the Scarlets the lead – 3 points to 7.
A driving line-out five metres out offered the Blues a perfect attacking opportunity as replacement Ellis Jenkins charged over from close range and despite the grounding of the ball not being clear, indeed, it appeared that the ball was grounded short of the line, Clancy awarded the try without consulting the TMO to put the Blues back in the lead by 8 points to 7. Anscombe’s conversion attempt was wide.
Another speedy response from Davies at the scrum and it appeared that he had sped over for try number two for the visitors, however, on this occasion, Clancy decides to use the services of the TMO and deemed that the ball was kicked out of the scrum by James Davies, though this did look doubtful and, yet another penalty decision went against the Scarlets.
Anscombe added another penalty to push the Blues further ahead, 11 points to 7 as decision after decision went the way of the home team, much to the frustration of the supporting Scarlets’ faithful.
With just over a minute remaining of the first half, the Scarlets were awarded a penalty, however, the men in red were unable to make any really impression on the Blues’ defence and opted to kick the ball out from a scrum penalty to re-group for the second half where they would play with the wind.
The Scarlets started the second half on the attack following a break from James Davies, working through the phases and testing the Blue defence, before Rhys Patchell strolled over to score against his former team. Halfpenny added the extras to put the Scarlets back in the lead – 11 points to 14.
With half an hour remaining on the clock, the Scarlets sent on the cavalry with Ken Owens and John Barclay on to replace Ryan Elias and Will Boyde. The impact was immediate with the Scarlets’ dominance at the scrum evident. Leigh Halfpenny’s subsequent penalty attempt was just wide, however the wave of Scarlets’ attacks continued.
The Scarlets’ defensive wall was tested as the Blues pressed for their second try of the afternoon. On this occasion, Clancy decided to make use of the TMO who deemed that the ball had been grounded short once more.
Heroic work from Cubby Boi saw him once again win the ball at the breakdown, offering Patchell the opportunity to clear the line, before the Blues once more launched another attack, though on this occasion, they were not camped on the Scarlets’ try line. Another scrum penalty and suddenly the Scarlets were back in the Blues’ 22 and on the attack until an interception from Halaholo put the Blues back in possession.
As the game reached it’s final 10 minutes play continued in the similar vein to the Ospreys fixture with the Blues in control of the majority of the possession, but failing to make any real impression as the Scarlets’ defensive work was once more immense.
A key decision towards the end of the game saw Clancy finally pick up on a forward pass despite the Blues being guilty of this on other occasions during the game. However, another penalty saw the Blues in a good attacking position that left the Scarlets needing to ensure their discipline was exemplary as the home team were offered one final opportunity to snatch victory at the death. Spreading the ball wide, the Scarlets just managed to force replacement Wing, Alex Cuthbert into touch to cling on for their second win of the festive season. It wasn’t a great game of flowing rugby, but it was a gutsy display from the reigning Champions who once again put in a strong defensive game in what was always going to be a typical, close derby game as they held on to their 11 points to 14 lead.
The Scarlets finish their derby matches with the visit of the Dragons to Parc y Scarlets next Friday evening, kick-off is at 7.35pm.