Cardiff feeling blue after Scarlets derby win

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

And so another season draws to a close. A season to remember, but not in a good way. With all the behind the scene antics between the Regions and the WRU dominating the headlines instead of the actual rugby, this season is one that hopefully will be never repeated for any of the four regions.

With 9,046 turning up to support their chosen region in this West v East battle, there was also sadness in the air as the Scarlets bid a fond farewell to a number of players including Jon Davies, Josh Turnbull, Nick Reynolds and Deacon Manu, along with Conditioning Coach Brad Harrington. All have served the club well and will be missed next season.

As the combined Scarlets and Blues choirs set the atmosphere the crowds showed their support for this last derby match of the season, despite being a game with no real reward at the end as both teams had already secured their places in next season’s European competition.

It was a highly emotional evening especially for one of the departing Scarlets, Josh Turnbull, as his daughters Eden and Ivy joined him to run onto the pitch for one final time.

The Scarlets were offered the first chance to put points on the board as they gained a good field position using the rolling maul which seems to have successfully crept into their game over the past few weeks. Despite the strong winds, Rhys Priestland opted to kick for goal; however his kick sailed past the swaying posts as the gusts swirled around Parc y Scarlets.

Despite the miss the Scarlets maintained the momentum as they continued pressing into the Cardiff 22. With nearly all the possession in the opening 10 minutes the men in red certainly tested their opponent’s defence until Scrum Half Rhodri Williams broke through to dive spectacularly under the posts for the opening try. Priestland added the conversion to give the Scarlets an early 7 point to 0 advantage.

The Blues scored a try of their own soon after following a good passage of play effectively against 14 men as Scarlets’ Joe Snyman lay injured, however Referee Ian Davies continued with play. Flanker Macauley Cook shook off the covering tackle to cross in the corner. However, the missed conversion meant that the Scarlets maintained their lead.

Amazingly, play was restarted even though Snyman was still down injured and it took the ball to go dead for play to finally stop for the lengthy injury. Referee Davies even had a round of applause when he finally made his way over to assess the injury, just as the Lock was thankfully returning to his feet.

Cardiff Blues snatched the lead minutes later with a well struck penalty from number 10 Simon Humberstone to put the visitors a point ahead – 7 points to 8.

However, the Scarlets were back on the attack from the restart until the Blues secured a scrum following turnover ball and fully used their wind advantage to take play right back into the Scarlets 22.

Fortunately the wind proved too strong for Full Back Dan Fish as he kicked through and was almost certain of scoring the try until the ball trickled over the touch line.

Superb angles of running from the Blues Centre Isaia Tuifua saw him snake his way from just inside the Scarlets half almost to the try line, however the pressure on the home defence was relieved as he was penalised for holding on.

Great handling from the home team towards the end of the first half saw the ball being passed among the backs with Rhodri Williams racing towards the try line for his second try, only to be bundled into touch just short of the line.

Rhys Priestland was offered the chance to take his team into the changing rooms for the end of the half with their lead restored following the Blues being penalised for offside. This time he made no mistake and the Scarlets ended a good half of rugby with a 10 point to 8 lead.

The second half couldn’t have started any better for the Scarlets as Full Back Liam Williams mirrored his name sake’s dive under the posts in the first half. Steve Shingler added the conversion to extend the home team’s lead to 17 points to 8 just as the rain began to descend on Parc y Scarlets.

The intent was evident in the men in red as they continued their drive towards the whitewash.

However, it was the Blues that managed to cross the try line, though it was left up to the TMO to decide whether the ball had been grounded or held up. Much to the disgust of the crowd, the grounding of the ball was inconclusive but the Blues were awarded a penalty try which was obviously converted by Humberstone which brought the Blues back to within 2 points – 17 points to 15.

As both sides attempted to dominate and secure the win the game lacked the rugby that was played in the first half and much of the play was around the half way line.

The Scarlets brought on replacements in an attempt to add some fresh legs into the mix, including Gareth Davies who reached a milestone of 100 games in this match and the departing Sione Timani.

The fact that the Scarlets are, despite everything, a team, was evident following the awarding of a penalty just as the game became scrappy. Both Liam Williams and Kristian Phillips ran immediately from their field positions to congratulate the forwards on their hard work in securing both the turn over ball and a penalty. Shingler made no mistake in his effort to leave the Blues needing a try to draw – 20 points to 15.

Rhys Priestland’s game ended early as he was almost carried off, unable to put any pressure on his left leg. His replacement Olly Barkley’s arrival ensured that each of the departing Scarlets on the team sheet was on the pitch for the closing minutes of the game. Unfortunately an early exit was also the case for Jake Ball as Scarlet contingent for the Welsh tour to South Africa seemed to be dwindling.

Great vision from Centre Steve Shingler saw him cross for a try that would surely seal victory for his team. Converting his own try gave the Scarlets a 27 point to 15 lead with just 4 minutes left on the clock and that was how they remained on the final whistle.

Following the ending of the game, the crowd were asked to remain seated as the departing players were formally thanked for their contribution to the Scarlets and offered a chance to thank the crowd for their support during this long season……..and so until next year!