YOUNG SCARLETS TAUGHT LESSONS IN SARRIES BOOTCAMP

YOUNG SCARLETS TAUGHT LESSONS IN SARRIES BOOTCAMP

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

 

 

 

Following two disappointing losses in the Heineken European Cup, it was back to LV= Cup action in Parc y Scarlets today with the visit of second placed English Premiership side, Saracens.

 

Prior to today’s match, the Scarlets were at the top of Pool 3 following their wins against London Irish and Leeds and it was hoped that once again the youngsters who have so often this season stepped up to the mark, would continue to do so. It was also the match that saw the welcome return of one of the injured tight-head props, Rhys Thomas.

Despite one name being knocked off the injury list, there still remain 11 players who are unavailable. The inclusion of Matthew Rees, Stephen Jones, Jon Davies, Josh Turnbull, Rob McCusker, Rhys Priestland, Tavis Knoyle and Morgan Stoddart in the Welsh Six Nations Squad, along with Sean Lamont in the Scottish, has resulted in Nigel Davies being almost forced into using his development squad.

It was all action off the pitch on Armed Forces Day as the Scarlets welcomed both the Army and RAF, along with activities such as climbing walls and paint balling as a thank you for the brave service personnel who continue to play such an important part in our country’s security. It was also the hope that the tank that was on display would work as inspiration for the Scarlets’ forwards!!

A crowd of over 6,600 turned up in the sunshine of Parc y Scarlets, expecting a fast flowing spectacle of rugby, but unfortunately, were disappointed.

Despite a promising start, the game soon became full of errors, from both sides. It was extremely frustrating to watch as once again balls were turned over and chances missed.

Ben Morgan was unlucky not to have scored the opening try for the home team following a typical ‘missile’ break from half way. The Scarlets worked the ball through the phases only for Welsh Englishman Morgan to be held up over the line, to the disappointment of the home supporters.

Worryingly, Morgan’s name was added to that injury list when he limped off with a knee injury.

The Scarlets attempted to run the ball whenever they actually had possession but it seemed that dropping the ball was the order of the day, rather than crossing the try line.

A strong, powerful Saracens team were dominant in both the scrum and the breakdown, giving the Scarlets little opportunity to get the ball to the backs.

It took 20 minutes before the first score of the game, and unfortunately, it was Saracens who got the first points on the board, with Centre Owen Farrell successfully kicking a penalty following the men in red being deemed offside, brining the score to 3 points to 0.

This decision did not prove popular with the Scarlets faithful who felt that the Saracens team straying offside on a regular basis was not picked up by the referee, Welshman Llyr Ap Geraint-Roberts or his touch judges.

Unfortunately a miss tackle from Scarlets’ villain, Scrum Half Martin Roberts allowed the Saracens to score the first try of the game, with Wing James Short crossing the whitewash to score an unconverted try. This gave the Englishmen a lead of 8 points to 0.

Disappointingly, Stephen Shingler, who has recently signed a two year contract with London Irish, was unable to put any points on the board with a late penalty, his third miss of this error-strewn half.

It is always said that scoring either side of half time is the most important score of the game and this certainly proved to be the case for Saracens.

Following possibly the Scarlets’ worst restart in history that saw the ball somehow end up in the home team’s own half, the Saracens team demonstrated their confidence and desire to attack the Scarlets’ defensive line.

Try number 2 was scored just 7 minutes into the second half following some good attacking play from the away team that resulted in Hayden Smith scoring a try under the posts. Farrell added the conversion to bring the score to 15 points to 0.

Following the scoring of this try, Saracens, who were without dancing Gavin Henson, brought on England Prop Matt Stevens for his first game following a two year ban for using cocaine.

It took a mere 5 more minutes for replacement Ben Ransom to cross for the Saracens’ third try of the afternoon, to the disappointment of the home crowd. Good running angles from the English team left Scarlets’ defensive line with more holes in it than a lump of Swiss cheese!!

Again, Farrell was successful with his conversion to bring the score to 22 points to 0.

Confident Saracens continued demonstrating their dominance in the second half by keeping the ball in hand and it was Hooker Jamie George that took full advantage of Saracens’ four man overlap to score their fourth try in the corner, this time unconverted, to give a scoreline of 27 points to 0.

The Scarlets did attempt to throw everything at their visitors but the Saracens made it look like a training session as they scored their fifth try of the afternoon with just quarter of an hour of the match remaining.

Wing Noah Cato completed a good attacking move to score under the posts, making Owen Farrell’s conversion attempt an easy one. This brought the score to a daunting 34 points to 0.

Despite a valuable lesson in how to play rugby, the young Scarlets, including replacement Jake Randell, who at 17 became the youngest player ever to pull on a Scarlets jersey for the Region, refused to give up.

Finally the home crowd had something to shout about as the youngsters showed their determination and character, continuing to attempt to attack until the end.

Despite many of the ‘faithful’ deciding that the plummeting temperatures and the events on the pitch had just cause to warrant an exodus, the re
maining fans were treated to a good break from replacement Scrum Half, Gareth Davies before allowing the forwards to continue the attack.

Hooker Emyr Phillips finally crossed almost in the corner for the Scarlets’ first points of the game with just over 10 minutes remaining. Fortunately, Shingler was this time able to convert, brining the score to 34 points to 7.

Nigel Davies confirmed his disappointment with the performance after the game, but conceded that Saracens’ physicality made holding on to the ball difficult. He admitted that stretched resources was a factor in the game, however, it was also an opportunity to give the younger players a chance in the Scarlets shirt. These resources became further stretched with Aussie Dai Lyons and Dominic Day being added to the injury list.

This third defeat in a row makes next Sunday’s match against the Dragons another winner takes all affair. The Scarlets are now second in Pool 3, equal on points with Sale, but thanks to the Dragons beating Sale on Friday night, a win next Sunday has put the men in Scarlet in contention to go through to the Semi Finals.

The Dragons are currently experiencing difficulties off the field with their Head Coach Paul Turner suspended whilst disciplinary investigations are carried out following various allegations regarding comments he made about the WRU and also alleged threatening behaviour towards a reporter following questions regarding his Dragons future. This is on top of their first ever washout in the Heineken Cup.

Next Sunday’s game is being played at Rodney Parade, kick off, 1.00pm.