SCARLETS FIRST TEAM TO ACHIEVE AWAY BONUS POINT WIN AGAINST AIRONI

The Scarlets became the first side to achieve an away bonus point win in Northern Italy after a thrilling three-try showcase in the final quarter of tense and exciting game – which saw Aironi give their visitors a tough, physical work-out.

A spirited Scarlets side hit the accelerator in the final 15 minutes to achieve three well-worked set-piece tries – with the speed and skill of recently returned winger Morgan Stoddart hitting the gas for the final try to secure a bonus point in the last two minutes.

The visitors took some time to warm-up and settle into their game at a chilly Stadio Zaffanella stadium in front of a 2,000 home crowd.  The first half will be one the Scarlets would have expected to have taken more control of, but the visitors got into their stride in the second half and fought to the end to get their bonus point.

The West Wales region that beat Magners new-comers Aironi 49-10 at Parc y Scarlets earlier in the season, has now secured three away wins in the league and retained composure under pressure from the Italians this weekend to take their second half opportunities well.

With a focus on their Magners League performances, the Scarlets have now exceeded the total number of league points they achieved last season – and are placed 2^nd in the Magners League with 30 points (29 in total 2009/2010 season).  They have won six out of their nine Magners League games so far and are two points behind leaders Munster with another 13 games to come.

And next up they look forward to another big contest, this time at home against two times Magners League champions and 2009 Heineken Cup winners Leinster – at Parc y Scarlets this Friday (December 3^rd – kick-off 7.05pm).

Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies said:  “This was an important win for us and it was pleasing for us to achieve a bonus point victory away from home in terms of our Magners League campaign and it could be significant for us later on.

“We didn’t control the game as we would have liked to and in the first half we didn’t have the lion-share of the game as we did out in Munster, so that’s something we’ll be having a good look at.

“It’s encouraging that the belief building in this team meant that the boys remained calm, focused and didn’t panic when the score-line was tight – we were under pressure for large parts of the game but when our opportunities came, we took them very well.

“Three of the four tries were from set piece moves and it was good to see that happening at a crucial time in the game when we needed to close it out.

“The last two tries were good and showed composure and the determination that we still had everything still to play for even in the dying minutes, which is exactly the spirit and pride I want from this team.

“In the first half we played in the wrong areas, we weren’t accurate enough and Aironi put up a very good fight and were difficult to break down.  They will only get stronger as a side from their inclusion in the Magners League – they have a lot of quality individuals and a new coaching set-up that will bring a different perspective and focus.

“It wasn’t an easy game, a different atmosphere for the boys to adapt to and Aironi put in a big physical battle so we’re pleased to just come away with the points this weekend.”

Davies praised wing Stoddart for his brace of tries saying it was good to see the popular Scarlet back firing again after his return from injury and equally was pleased with the impact of some of his bench – namely Damian Welch and Jonny Fa’amatuainu as well as centre Gareth Maule building on some impressive form recently.

November will be seen as a good month’s work for the Scarlets with three wins out of four including two victories in the LV=Cup to become the competition’s joint top point scorers alongside Sale and retaining second place in the Magners League.

Wales internationals Stephen Jones, Matthew Rees and George North will re-join their region on Thursday.  Despite being offered a week off after their Wales campaign, the trio is eager to return to Parc y Scarlets.  Rees, North and Jones have requested to come back early and join their Scarlets colleagues ahead of the team’s next Magners battle against Leinster on Friday night.

Aironi 17 – 34 Scarlets

Aironi (10) 17 
Tries: Tebaldi, Pizarro Con: Tebaldi 2 Pens: Tebaldi

Scarlets (13) 34 
Tries: Stoddart 2 J Edwards, Maule Con: Preistland Pens: Priestland 3 Drop: Priestland