Solid Scrums and Shingler Secure Scarlets Success

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

There was anticipation in the air as the Italian team Benetton Treviso were the visitors on a sunny Saturday evening – which team would be successful in securing the first win, with both teams losing out last week? On paper, Treviso have proved to be difficult opponents for the Scarlets, victorious in four out of the last six matches.

Fielding a familiar team to last week, with the young, exciting Jordan Williams being the only change, it was the home team that got the first points on the board. Confident forward play saw them successfully turning the Treviso scrum with Gareth Bale’s secret twin Gareth Davies breaking through the defences to score the first try within minutes of kick off. Steve Shingler continued his 100% kicking record from last week to add the conversion as the once familiar shouts of ‘Stevo, Stevo’ rang again through the stands, to give the Scarlets an early 7 point to 0 lead.

Glimpses of the familiar Scarlet back play weresoon evident – sublime passing, naturally finding the gaps,with Rhys Priestland, Scott Williams and Liam Williams prominent in the play.

Treviso’s Alberto Di Bernado was offered a chance to open the scoring for the Italian team but saw his kick sail to the left of the posts.

The Scarlets were once again on the attack following an interception and passing sequence by the Shingler brothers! Desperate try saving tackles denied the home team a further score but saw them remain in a good attacking field position.

Another strong scrummaging performance from the Scarlets forwards saw Scrum Half Gareth Davies cross for his second try of the evening that saw superb play from Aaron Shingler to set up the ball. His brother Steve once again added the extras to give a score line of 14 points to 0.

Once again the Scarlets proved powerful at the scrum demonstrating a huge improvement from not only last season but many years! Captain McCusker’s bunny hops with the ball safely tucked between his feet saw the forwards push their opposition downfield with ease.

Young Jordan Williams demonstrated his natural talent, to the delight of the home supporters, with a break but he was unable to gather his own kick.

With the frustrations of the Treviso team mounting along with the dominance of the Scarlets, the visitors saw decisions begin to go against them, including a penalty decision being reversed as tempers began to flare and the mistakes crept in.

It took almost the final minutes of the first half before the Italians were able to string together phases of play that looked anything like scoring them any points, but as good as they were in attack, the Scarlets also remained firm in defence. Unfortunately the services of the TMO were not to confirm a try but to confirm two yellow cards – one for Treviso’s Di Bernardo and the other for Gareth Davies following a handbag scuffle!

The Italians were successful in putting points on the board just before half time. With Outside Half Di Bernado in the bin, it was left to their Scrum Half to secure the penalty to give a half time score of 14 points to 3 and leave the Scarlets disappointed not to have already secured the try bonus point.

Samson Lee delayed the start of the second half as he appeared to have difficulty breathing whilst running onto the pitch. He was replaced by the popular Fijian Deacon Manu.The relief was evident though as Lee walked from the pitch. It was later confirmed that it was nothing more serious than an upset stomach that had prematurely ended the game for the young Prop.

The Scarlets forwards demonstrated their dominance once more at the start of the second half as they drove through the Treviso defence as though it wasn’t there and were awarded for their efforts with a kickable penalty.

Mr Reliable Shingler saw another of his kicks sail through the centre of the posts to restore the 14 point advantage and to bring the score line to 17 points to 3.

Treviso attempted some attacking of their own only to be denied initially by Phil John, however, great vision from Semenzato saw Treviso score their first converted try and suddenly there was just a score separating the teams – 17 points to 10. Thoughts of bonus points were being replaced with nervous hope that last week’s second half performance was not going to be repeated.

Steve Shingler was successful with yet another penalty attempt to further edge the Scarlets ahead, 20 points to 10, proving himself to be possibly the most important signing since the departure of the legend Stephen Jones. Several games have been lost over the last couple of seasons where the kicking percentages were way below average so it can only be a positive thing for the team to have a reliable point scorer.

A huge roar erupted in the stadium to welcome British Lion Jon Davies as he made his first appearance in a Scarlets jersey following his star performance in Australia over the summer where he deservedly kept Brian O’Driscoll out of the test team.

Following the award of another penalty decision, Shingler again saw his kick sail through the posts for the eleventh time in succession to increase the Scarlets’ lead to 13 points – 23 points to 10. A feat he repeated minutes later with number 12 bringing the score to 26 points to 10. However, it is possible that the kick was the wrong decision as Treviso were down to 14 men at the time and with a decent safety blanket the supporters would have appreciated seeing tries being scored and a bonus point gained.

With the game beyond their reach it was Treviso that finished the stronger and right on the final whistle, crossed the white wash. However, the referee took full advantage of the TMO to confirm his suspicions that a forward pass had occurred during the run up to the scoring and the try was not allowed.

Finally, for the first time in six matches, the Scarlets were victorious 26 points to 10 in a game that had promised much. In perfect conditions, it could have been a try festival until mistakes had once again crept in to the play.

Man of the match for the first time in three years, Phil John, confirmed how pleased the team had been with the forward play and how the Scarlets had benefitted from the new scrummaging laws that had come into effect for this season.

Relief was all around as the team prepare for their first match on the road as they travel to Rodney Parade next Friday to face Lyn Jones’ Dragons.