Try Scoring Williams Trio Secure Heineken Success

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

A performance similar to that infamous Northampton game a couple of seasons ago was on order, but with results of previous weeks being disappointing in the main, the army of Scarlets supporters who had once again made the away trip were nervous rather than hopeful.

With Sosban Fach ringing from the terraces, the Scarlets settled in to their game plan well from the start of the game but an error at the scrum saw the home team demonstrate some of their own handling rugby skills, playing themselves into a good attacking field position.

But it was a case of ‘anything you can do, I can do better’ from the Scarlets. Superb handling and a series of quick passes, with play going from almost one end of the field to the other saw Scrum Half Rhodri Williams cross for the first try of the game. It was truly like watching the Scarlets of old. Influential in the scoring of the try, Rhys Priestland added the conversion to give the Scarlets a 7 point advantage in the early stages of the game.

It was little over a minute later that the confident Scarlets capitalised on the pressure put on the home team offering Priestland the chance to further increase the visitor’s lead with his kick giving the Scarlets a 10 point to 0 lead.

The Scarlets continued to dominate the game in a clinical fashion that hasn’t been evident for a while, territorially keeping the Harlequins in their own half for much of the first quarter of an hour.

Rhys Priestland was offered the chance to continue his 100% kicking record and didn’t disappoint as he watched his third successive kick sail through the posts to give the Scarlets a 13 point lead.

Defensively, the Scarlets totally dominated the break down, forcing Quins errors and ensuring they put themselves under pressure.

Outside Half Nick Evans finally put the home team on the score sheet following the Scarlets penalised for being deemed off side to give a score line of 3 points to 13.

However, it seemed that nothing could dampen the Scarlets spirits, even a huge tackle on Jon Davies, as the visitors continued their lesson-giving in how to play good rugby.

Great vision from the Shingler brothers saw the Scarlets continue their attacking rugby, crossing the gain line with ease and it wasn’t long before the visitors muscled their way over the try line once again, however the ball was held up and the men in red had to settle for a scrum 5.

Inching ever closer to the try line the Scarlets kept ball in hand, working well through the phases but rather than seeing points on the board, a missed drop goal effort from Priestland offered the home team a chance to run the length of the pitch, forcing desperate cover defence from the Scarlets to stop the try being scored.

Mike Brown scored the Quins’ first try of the game minutes later after chasing an excellent kick from Nick Evans, who also kicked the conversion. Suddenly, despite such a dominant start, the Scarlets lead was cut to just 3 points – 10 points to 13.

The confidence in the home team following the scoring of the try was evident; however it was the Scarlets that finished off the first half with a sensational try. Starting from a great take by Liam Williams, a dummy from Scott Williams saw him open up the Quins’ defence before powering over the whitewash to the delight of the away travellers. Rhys Priestland added the conversion right at the end of the half to give the visitors a commanding 20 points to 10 half time lead.

Young prop Samson Lee was yellow carded for dangerous use of the boot right at the start of the second half, offering Harlequins a chance to capitalise on playing against 14 men. Within seconds a drop goal from Nick Evans cut the deficit to 13 points to 20.

A huge kick from Evans saw the Scarlets put under pressure as the Quins attacked, but their defence held firm and soon turned into attack. Rhys Priestland added another penalty to even the ‘sin bin scores’ and increase the Scarlets lead to 13 points to 23.

Even with Samson Lee off and with John Barclay forfeiting his place to ensure the front row union was complete, the Scarlets continued to dominate the scrum, securing a penalty to offer Priestland another attempt at goal. Maintaining his 100% record, he once again saw his kick sail over the upright to give a score of 13 points to 26.

Harlequins kept the scoreboard ticking over with a penalty of their own to cut the deficit to 10 points – 16 points to 26. This was shortly followed by another as the penalty count against the Scarlets grew, 19 points to 26.

Suddenly, when it all seemed to be getting rather nervous for the Scarlets, a scintillating try from the magical young Jordan Williams had the supporters in full voice. With few options available, Williams nursed the touch line before producing a Benny-like side step in-field to cross the try line for a superb individual effort. Again Priestland was successful with his kicking duties to add the conversion and once more give the Scarlets some breathing space – 19 points to 33.

However, the Harlequins didn’t give up their belief that they could win the match and following a series of phases, Mike Brown shrugged off a Jordan Williams tackle to cross for his brace of tries. The added conversion from Evans gave a 7 point advantage for the visitors 26 points to 33 but ensured the final 10 minutes would be a tense one, requiring composure from the men in red.

Another penalty from the breakdown offered Steve Shingler a kick that was ‘on Steve Shingler’s list’ (well done Ieuan Evans!!) that would offer some breathing space. Despite not missing a kick all season, Shingler had the distance but not the accuracy earlier displayed by Priestland and the tension for the supporters continued for the final five minutes.

A typical English rolling maul saw the home team power ever closer to the Scarlets try line and another penalty resulted in the Scarlets ending the match with 14 men as Rob Evans was sin binned.

The match almost ended in heart break once again as Paul Sackey crossed for a try that could have seen the final score a draw, however a superb cover tackle from Liam ‘Sanjay’ Williams saw his toe in touch just before he touched down.

Despite this game saving tackle, the final minutes did nothing for the finger nails of the Scarlets supporter as the team defended for their lives with the Harlequins attacking deep in the Scarlets 22.

But defend they did and the reaction and communal sigh of relief from both supporters and the team at the final whistle demonstrated just how important this away victory could be. Winning your home matches is a must in this competition but to gain an away scalp could be the difference between progressing into the knock out stages or not. However, it wasn’t just the victory that put a huge smile back on the faces of the supporters, but it was the way in which the game was played. Even for the impartial rugby supporter, it was a good game of rugby and a great advert for the game.

Next Saturday, the Scarlets hope to continue to fly the flag for the Welsh Regions in Europe as they welcome Racing Metro to Parc y Scarlets kick off 6pm.