Treviso steal victory over Scarlets in historic Magners League opener

New-comers to the Magners League Benetton Treviso secured a home win in their first game of the season with a spirited second half comeback against the Scarlets who had dominated in the first half.
A confident first half display by the Scarlets saw the visitors play with confidence running the ball across the field and powering through some weak Italian defence to secure three first half tries – and a double on his Scarlets’ competitive season debut for North Wales wing sensation George North.

The 18-year-old looked more than comfortable in his first-ever competitive match in Scarlets colours and ran in two tries with strength, pace and confidence that defied his years – a double score that would have no doubt have given Skills Coach and former Scarlets wing Mark Jones, something to smile about on the touchline.

Rob McCusker had the honour of becoming the first captain to lead a Welsh team out at Stadio Monigo in the Magners League, the young backrower taking charge in the absence of Matthew Rees and David Lyons.

And the Scarlets started strongly showing their intent and skill to keep the ball alive and off-load more – moving the ball around the field with plenty of pace.

But in a tight and nerve jangling last 10 minutes, the Scarlets who led 28-27 just 8 minutes from time, saw the victory snatched from them in the dying minutes by a determined home side buoyed by a very noisy home crowd inside Stadio Montigo.

Scarlets’ outside half Rhys Priestland began the tale with the opening kick but the Scarlets were penalised early on for an offside offence. The early minutes of the game saw Treviso in the Scarlets’ half and showed great grit and determination to prove their worth in the 2010-11 Magners League.

From the resulting line-out the Scarlets gave away a second penalty in the opening 90 seconds, scrum half Tobias Boates stepping up to get Treviso’s first-ever Magners League points.

Once again the Scarlets were penalised in the tackle area for not releasing which led to Treviso’s first ever points of the league with a penalty for their scrum half Tobias Botes after 9 minutes.

The Scarlets were soon looking for an opportunity to pass the ball wide and to up the tempo of the game.

A deep kick was collected by Stoddart and he released centre Gareth Maule with a double-miss pass, he slipped it to North and the youngster brushed off two tackles to sprint to the corner.

Treviso were struggling to handle the Scarlets’ fast running rugby and the visitors almost snatched a third try midway through the half.

Treviso knew home form will be vital in their debut Magners campaign and a vocal, and intimidating, crowd will be extremely beneficial.

Martin Roberts got quick ball from a line-out and fed Priestland just outside the 22, he eased past two tacklers and with runners either side was able to dummy his way around full-back Luke McLean and score.

A try came soon afterwards as Priestland spotted a gap in their defensive line, the Scarlets had numerous players ready and waiting for the ball but the Scarlets’ outside half steamed forward with confidence to go all the way from 30 metres.

The Scarlets were faced by an attacking Treviso line however they couldn’t find their way through and opted for a drop goal, which awarded the outside half, Khristopher Burton another 3 points for the home side.

A Treviso error led to the Scarlets’ second try as Botes kicked the ball behind the Scarlets, was quickly gathered by winger Fenby and was moved cleanly through the hands of fullback Morgan Stoddart, centre Gareth Maule and finally found George North who recorded his first ever Magners League try in his debut game.

A second try came for North before half time as the ball was gathered from the scrum, passed to All Black centre Regan King and carried over the try line by North’s strength. The try was converted by Priestland.

Half time score: Treviso 9 Scarlets 22

Priestland took advantage of Treviso’s long range kick off to begin the second half and gave the ball an almighty kick down field to secure territorial advantage.

Indiscipline once again reared its head as the Scarlets were penalised for being off side and scrum half Botes took advantage and another three points.

In the opening minutes of the second half the Scarlets came under pressure from Treviso’s attacking line but fortunately the ball went wide into touch and gave the Scarlets a rest bite.

With seven minutes played in the second half, Treviso’s consistent pressure gave way to a try and brought the score to 17-22. Just minutes later the Italians stepped up another gear to score another try under the posts.

With twenty minutes remaining the Scarlets retained their composure and began to attack deep in Treviso’s half.

Following a mighty tackle by replacement Jonny Fa’amatuainu, Treviso were penalised and the Scarlets were given an opportunity to claw back the points. Priestland was successful with his fourth penalty.

This was soon followed by a long-range kick down field by Priestland once again and a fifth penalty at 69 minutes to secure the Scarlets took the lead by one point..

In what was a nail biting closing 10 minutes to an historic fixture it was the Italians who put their foot on the gas and scored that vital try to take the lead, and the victory, from the Scarlets. After some excellent work in defence, the Scarlets ran out of defenders out wide and winger Bevenuti crossed in the corner with four minutes to go which was duly converted.

Final score Treviso 34 Scarlets 28.

The Scarlets will welcome Connacht to parc y Scarlets on Saturday 11^th (kick off 3pm) September for the first home game of the season.