Scarlets Grind Out Victory Against Fourteen Man Benetton Rugby

Following last Saturday’s win over Leinster, round 3 of this season’s Pro14 saw Benneton Rugby visit Parc y Scarlets, for the first time ever in top spot of Conference B.
Johnny McNicholl passed a late fitness test to take his place on the Wing, whilst injuries to Rob Evans and Josh Macleod saw Phil Price rewarded with a start and Blade Thomson moving to number 8. Along with McNicholl, there was a welcome return for Wyn Jones and Paul Asquith who were both named on the bench.
It was Benetton who had the majority of the possession in the opening minutes of the game, however the outstanding defensive efforts of the Scarlets meant that they made little headway into the Scarlets’ half. However, a break in midfield from James Davies released Gareth Davies who ran in under the posts for the opening try. Leigh Halfpenny added the simple conversion to give the Scarlets an early 7 points to 0 lead.
Benetton Rugby hit back immediately, opting to kick for the corner rather than going for the three points. After winning the line-out the forwards drove towards the Scarlets’ try line with Nicola Quaglio squeezing over for their first try. Tommaso Allan added the conversion to draw the game level at 7 points all.
It was the Scarlets’ turn to respond with Halfpenny off-loading to Kieron Fonotia who dived over for his first try in Scarlets colours. Halfpenny’s conversion attempt hit the posts but the Scarlets were ahead once more by 12 points to 7.
Once more, Benetton hit back immediately with Wing Tavuyara demonstrating his pace on the Wing before another Prop, Simone Ferrari drove over from close range to draw the game level once more. Allan added the extras to put the Italians in the lead for the first time by 12 points to 14.
A confident Benetton were a completely different outfit to that of previous seasons as they tested the Scarlets defence in their quest to further increase their lead. They came close but knocked the ball on just short of the try line.
In a case of deja vu, Benetton faced playing an hour of the game with fourteen men as Irne Herbst was shown a red card for an elbow to Samson Lee’s head in the tackle area.
Despite this, the visitors were offered the opportunity to further extend their lead, but Allan’s long-range effort was short.
Parc y Scarlets continued it’s try fest as Gareth Davies squeezed over for his brace in the corner after Blade Thomson sliced through the Benetton defence like a knife! Halfpenny was unable to add the extras but as half time approached the Scarlets were back in the lead by 17 points to 14.
It was a dream start for Benetton who took full advantage of a Scarlets error with Monti Ioane controlling the ball wall before picking up and crossing in the corner. Allan was again wide with the conversion attempt, but Benetton were back in the lead once more by 17 points to 19.
Just two minutes later and another Scarlets error proved costly with a lucky bounce aiding Full Back Luca Sperandio as he touched down under the posts. Allan added the extras to extend Benetton’s lead by 17 points to 26.
Benetton were shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Johnny McNicholl by Hame Faiva, but despite this the Scarlets were still unable to take advantage of their two extra men.
Opting the kick for the corner for the second time rather than the kick at goal, the home team continued pressing for the try, eventually opting for the scrum before releasing Johnny McNicholl who crossed in the corner to secure the try bonus point. Halfpenny added a superb conversion from the touchline to put the Scarlets back within two points – 24 points to 26.
A break in midfield from the returning Paul Asquith released Ed Kennedy who scored his first try as a Scarlet. Another superb conversion from Halfpenny finally put the Scarlets back in the lead by 31 points to 26.
Allan again narrowed the gap with another successful kick from the boot of Allan, to bring the visitors back to within two points – 31 points to 29.
With just over 5 minutes remaining on the clock, the Scarlets were back in the Benetton 22, and pressing to cement the victory as they inched closer to the try line, recycling the ball well and working their way through the phases. A powerful break from Blade Thomson saw him fall just short of the line, but with the possession still in Scarlets hands, and referee Lloyd Linton playing advantage, the home team were offered one further chance at scoring a try.
Gareth Davies was centimetres short of scoring his hat trick as he picked up the ball from the base of the scrum and attempted to squeeze his way over the line but was brought down just short.
With seconds left of the match, Wyn Jones crossed the whitewash, but the TMO deemed that he had not grounded the ball, however a clever chip from replacement Outside Half, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne was pounced on by Tom Prydie for a try right at the death. Halfpenny’s conversion from the touch line, the last kick of the game, saw the Scarlets victorious by 38 points to 29, however Benetton certainly made them work hard for the win.