Toulon Cruelly Snatch Victory Against Heroic Scarlets

The Scarlets’ European campaign continued with a familiar away trip to face Toulon at the Stade Mayol. At half back, both Ryan Lamb and Dane Blacker made their first starts for the Scarlets with former Toulon player, Juandre Kruger partnering Tex Ratuva in the second row.
Welsh Internationals, Ryan Elias and Aaron Shingler made a welcome return following the World Cup, with Shingler playing his first game in a Scarlets jersey since the PRO14 final in May 2018.
The Scarlets faced a late change with Rob Evans failing a fitness test. He was replaced by Phil Price, with Dylan Evans coming in on the bench.
An early penalty gave Ryan Lamb the opportunity to kick deep into the Toulon 22 and despite Captain, Steff Hughes breaking through to cross the white-wash, play was called back for a forward pass, offering the hosts the chance to clear.
They were able to recycle the ball well before a cross-field kick left the Scarlets defence in disarray as Cronin raced over unopposed for the opening try of the evening. Belleau added the conversion to give Toulon the lead by 7 points to 0.
However, the visitors were able to draw things level as Johnny McNicholl intercepted on halfway and easily won the foot race to cross in the corner. Ryan Lamb slotted over the conversion to equalised at 7 points all.
The home team continued to test the Scarlets but a penalty again offered Lamb the chance to put the Scarlets in a good attacking position. He put in a monster kick but despite securing the ball at the line-out, a handling error enabled Toulon to clear and play was back near the Scarlets’ 22.
The hosts again opted for the cross-field kick, but both McNicholl and Steff Hughes were back to cover. As the penalty count against the Scarlets mounted, Toulon kicked for the corner and again the Scarlets were forced to defend their lines.
A further penalty against the visitors offered Belleau the opportunity to put Toulon back ahead. He slotted over the easy attempt from in front of the posts to but his side back in the lead by 10 points to 7.
With half time approaching Belleau had the chance to put Toulon further ahead, but his attempt was wide. As the clock went red, the hosts had one last attempt for a score at the end of the half. They secured the ball at the line-out and launched an attack into the Scarlets’ 22, but play was stopped for foul play and new-signing Tex Ratuva was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle at the ruck.
Despite the game already reaching the 45 minute mark, Toulon kicked for the corner, hoping to take full advantage of their extra man for the remainder of the game, however the Scarlets were able to hold firm and the half ended with Toulon ahead by 10 points to 7.
The Scarlets made a replacement at Scrum Half for the second half, with Kieran Hardy replacing Dane Blacker. A great passage of passing play from the visitors made for a positive start to the half and another Lamb kick put them in a threatening attacking position.
With Toulon penalised, Ryan Lamb was offered the chance to draw things level once more. His kick sailed through the posts to equalise at 10 points all.
Despite being a man down, the character from the Scarlets was truly heroic as they continued to battle and attack Toulon and it was testament to their efforts that on securing a penalty, Belleau was called upon to kick for the points rather than position in the hope that the hosts could regain their lead. However, his kick hit the posts.
With the game reaching the 66 minute mark, the Scarlets were offered the opportunity to take the lead for the first time. Replacement, Dan Jones maintained his coolness under pressure to slot over the penalty to put the visitors ahead by 10 points to 13.
A matter of minutes later, Jones added a drop goal to leave Toulon needing to score a converted try to win as the Scarlets’ lead increased to 10 points to 16, and to quote Head Coach, Brad Mooar, in the second half in particular, the Scarlets were certainly winning the moments.
With less than five minutes on the clock, the home side finally found themselves in the Scarlets’ half as they looked for a chance to snatch victory.
They drove off the line-out, but the ball was lost forward, offering the Scarlets a defensive scrum in their own 22 and the option to clear.
Despite an error at the base of the scrum, Jones cleared play back into the Toulon half, but with less than 2 minutes on the clock, the Scarlets were penalised at the breakdown and the hosts kicked for the corner.
A further penalty was awarded and the obvious decision was to opt for the scrum, forcing Captain, Steff Hughes to add his weight at the back.
In a dramatic ending the clock turned red, but with the scrum reset, the Scarlets had to put in one last monumental effort in order to claim victory and to avoid a penalty try being awarded.
The hosts drove off the scrum and appeared to have scored the winning try, but the TMO confirmed that it was no try and with the clock on 85 minutes, Mooar made the decision to replace Keiron Fonotia with Second Row, Josh Helps.
To the frustration of the Scarlets, despite halting the Toulon drive, the hosts were awarded another penalty and again opted for the scrum. Desite being pushed backwards, a further penalty was conceded and Toulon again opted for the cross-field kick, but the ball went dead and so play went back for the initial penalty and it appeared that the game would continue until Toulon got the score!
The hosts opted for the line-out, set up the rolling maul and there was nothing the Scarlets could do to stop Ollivon from powering over from close range to bring the hosts back to within a point, with the conversion to come.
It was a very cruel end for the Scarlets as Belleau kicked the successful conversion to snatch victory in almost the 89th minute by 17 points to 16, with the Scarlets securing what could be an important losing bonus point.
Next Saturday, despite Wales playing the Babarians at the Principality Stadium, the Scarlets are also in action as they travel to Kingspan to face Ulster in the PRO14. Kick-off is at 7.35pm