Young Scarlets Suffer Clermont Double Whammy!

by Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

A damp, miserable Parc y Scarlets was the venue for the return fixture in the seasonal back-to-back Heineken Cup fixtures. Following a close first half last week at the Stade Marcel Michelin last weekend, the Scarlets eventually went down 32-11 against an immensely powerful, but aged ASM Clermont team.

Hooker Ken Owens, playing his 150th game had the honour of leading out the teams in the rain. The start couldn’t possibly have been any worse for the home team though, with Wing Napolioni Nalaga crossing in the corner right from kick off, possibly scoring the quickest try in history with the official time of just 23 seconds!Outside Half Mike Delany added the conversion to give the visitors a 7 point to 0 advantage before the majority of supporters had even taken their seats!

Rhys Priestland was offered the opportunity to cut the deficit minutes later following a powerful run from Full Back Liam Williams, which included handing off the returning Regan King, however the kick was unsuccessful.

Priestland’s miss was mirrored by his opposite number Delany minutes later with his kick hitting the post.

With conditions deteriorating, both teams endured to play open rugby, keeping the ball in hand, however most of the play was between the 22’s with the gain line barely threatened.

Delany was offered another chance to extend Clermont’s lead, but again found his kicking boots were off target and play continued around the mid-field area.

With ball in hand, the Scarlets looked threatening and a series of phases inched them ever closer to the illusive Clermont 22, to the delight of the home crowd. An almost all team handbag clash raised the roof around the stands and unfortunately seemed to be the highlight of the half!

Referee Wayne Barnes of England decided to use the TMO and big screen for a closer look on proceedings and decided that Clermont Captain’s Aurelien Rougerie’s foul play warranted a ten minute cooling off period; he left the pitch to a communal thunderous booing!

Rhys Priestland finally found his kicking boots and was successful with the awarded penalty to narrow the gap slightly – 3 points to 7.

When the home team finally managed to break the gain line, they did it in style, playing the type of opening running rugby synonymous with Scarlets rugby before Centre Gareth Maule crossed the white wash under the posts. Rhys Priestland added the conversion and suddenly, despite the disastrous start, the men in Scarlet were in the lead 10 points to 7.

Priestland further increased the Scarlets lead just towards the end of the first half with a well struck penalty to give a lead of 13 points to 7; however Clermont were offered the opportunity to narrow the gap to just 3 points with the last kick of the half, though the decision was met with the disapproval of the crowd. Delany made no mistake with his easy attempt, right in front of the posts to give a half time score of 13 points to 10.

Clermont began the second half obviously demonstrating their typical French dislike at being left chasing the game. Several decisions went their way with regards to playing on the edge of the law, to the disgust of the home crowd who raised the volume in their booing chorus.

Replacement Outside Half Brock James missed an easy penalty from right in front of the posts to level the score. The roar of the almost 8,000 crowd demonstrated their delight at his miss. It was almost an action replay minutes later as his miss, kicked from almost the same blade of grass, was met with an equally thunderous cheer!

A tense series of scrums saw the Scarlets defending for their lives, against the Clermont scrum and referee Barnes seemed to be the only one in the whole stadium who felt that this particular battle was being won by the French. The immense dedication from the Scarlets forwards was met with sheer frustration and worse still, a penalty try which left the players with disappointment etched on their faces. Once again it seemed that a referee’s decision could not only cost the Scarlets a game but affect the rest of the season. James obvious added the conversion to give the visitors a 4 point advantage – 13 points to 17.

A charge down of Scott Williams’ clearing kick saw Clermont cross the white wash again, with replacement Fritz Lee gratefully receiving Regan King’s pass as he was brought down just before the line. James again added the conversion and suddenly that one Barnes penalty try decision seemed to have been the turning point in the match and a nail in the Scarlets’ European coffin as the visitors extended their lead to 24 points to 13.

As the swirling rain poured down, conditions became as miserable as the possible final score as Clermont’s increasing confidence saw them dominate the final 10 minutes of the game, with danger man Nalaga crossing from close range for another converted try to further increase their lead – 13 points to 31.

Despite the conditions, the score line and the decisions constantly going against them, together with an emptying stand (supporters??!!!) the young Scarlets team endeavoured to finish the game on a high, however, with little possession thanks to Mr Barnes, they were unable to give the home crowd something to cheer about .

Next Saturday it’s back to Rabo Direct action as the Scarlets head to Ireland to face Munster.