Scarlets Secure Hard-Fought Cheetahs Victory

Following South Africa’s superb win against England to become World Champions in the Rugby World Cup, the Scarlets welcomed the Cheetahs to Parc y Scarlets in the fifth round of the PRO14. The South Africans have had a storming start to the season, lighting up the league with their exciting brand of rugby and were unlucky not to keep their win record intact after suffering a last-gasp defeat against Connacht last week.
It was a special fixture for Wing, Steff Evans who made his 100th appearance for the Scarlets at just 25 years of age. He made his debut against Zebre five years ago, scoring 40 tries in his 99 appearances so far.
“A hundred games is a very special moment for him, for his club, our club and his family and his friends,” Brad Mooar commented before the game.
It was a strong start for the home team who kept ball in hand, but the awful conditions dictated as the ball became slippery. It was the visitors that had the first real opportunity of putting points on the board, with a line-out inside the Scarlets’ twenty-two, but the ball was spilled forward. The Scarlets countered, but the visitors secured a turnover on halfway and hoofed downfield. Captain, Tian Meyer won the race to dab down in the corner with his half-back partner Tian Schoeman adding the extras to give the Cheetahs an early lead by 0 points to 7.
The hosts fought back from the restart and from a scrum just in front of the posts they recycled well, with both McNicholl and Uzair Cassiem close to crossing for the Scarlets’ first try, but Cassiem was just bundled into touch before he could ground the ball.
The Scarlets were offered a great scoring opportunity as they secured the line-out, set up the maul and it was Steff Evans who sealed his 100th game with try number 41 as he charged over from close-range. Dan Jones added the extras to bring the game level at 7 points all.
The visitors were offered a chance to extend their lead after the Scarlets were penalised and they opted to kick for touch, they secured the line-out and set up an attack but again the ball was lost forward and the Scarlets were able to clear from the scrum.
A turn-over from the men in red saw them win back possession and a superb break from Johnny McNicholl in mid-field set up Kieran Hardy who raced over to dab down under the posts. Dan Jones slotted over the simple conversion to give the Scarlets the lead by 14 points to 7 at half time.
The awful weather conditions continued into the second half as Cassiem was pinged early on and up stepped Schoeman who slotted over the penalty to narrow the Scarlets’ lead to 14 points to 10.
Minutes later, he was offered a further opportunity from almost the identical spot, but opted to kick for the corner. The Scarlets turned the ball over and kicked downfield, but the Cheetahs were back to cover and a testing game of aerial ping-pong ensued with play centred around the half-way line.
A penalty at the scrum on the halfway saw Dan Jones put in a kick for touch, but despite not getting the distance he’d hoped, the forwards were able to set up a rolling maul that the visitors just couldn’t stop. A further penalty was awarded and Jones kicked for the corner. Despite securing the line-out the ball was very scrappy and a penalty offered the Cheetahs the chance to clear down-field.
A series of scrums saw the hosts penalised, despite it being blatantly obvious that the Cheetahs prop had slipped his bind and the Scarlets were very unlucky with the decision that offered replacement, Ruan Pienaar the chance to draw things level. His kick went straight through the posts to narrow the Scarlets’ lead to just a point – 14 points to 13.
But the Scarlets hit straight back as McNicholl was influential in securing a kickable penalty for the hosts. Dan Jones slotted it over from in front of the posts to increase the Scarlets’ lead to 17 points to 13.
However, it was a worrying sight to see McNicholl limping off and in some obvious discomfort, he was replaced by Angus O’Brien.
With just five minutes of the game remaining, the Scarlets continued to keep possession as they attempted to run down the clock, playing in the Cheetahs half of the pitch.
As the seconds ticked down and the stadium clock turned red, the Scarlets secured a final penalty to seal the victory, but Dan Jones was wide with his attempt. The Cheetahs attempted to run the ball from their line, but didn’t get far before the whistle went for the end of the game and it was a well-deserved victory for the hosts by 17 points to 13.
Man of the Match – Josh Macleod
Next Saturday the PRO14 continues with the Benetton the visitors to Parc y Scarlets, kick-off is at 7.35pm.