Scarlets secure impressive five try win against Titans in first run out of season

Scarlets 2011-12 season kicked off with a victory against first time visitors to Parc y Scarlets Rotherham Titans. The game, played in honour of former Wales and Scarlets flanker Dafydd Jones, was an opportunity for the Scarlets to blood young players who were all itching for their first run-out in Scarlets colours.

A total of 11 new Scarlets were born at Parc y Scarlets this afternoon and with it the chance for the coaching set-up to see how some of the new young charges performed against a physical and more experienced Titans side.

Play in the first half of the 2011-12 season at Parc y Scarlets was a rusty and error littered affair as both Scarlets and Titans players took time to get into their groove.

It was the Scarlets who opened the scoring with new 10 Rhys Jones securing a penalty goal just minutes into the game. Titans were the first to cross the whitewash however as flanker Sean Dougall collected the spoils to score.

After an intense period of play, as both sides looked to edge closer in to their opposition’s territory, it was the Scarlets who managed to break the defensive line to send second row Aaron Shingler stampeding through with his hallmark pace to leave the Titans defence standing. The final word of the first half went to the Titans as fullback Garry Law secured a penalty.

Half time: Scarlets 10 Titans 11

Scarlets had the perfect start to their second half as outside half Jones secured three points in front of the posts just minutes into the half.

Wales hopeful Ken Owens back for some game time from the national squad, replaced young hooker Kirby Myhill and Adam Warren was replaced at centre by new signing Rhodri Gomer-Davies.

In what was a spectacular return to form winger Andy Fenby charged along the touchline to score his first try showing no sign of set-back from the groin injury that kept him off the pitch for over ten months last season.

A host of Scarlets young squad members were given an opportunity to shine during the second half. A number of replacements were made starting with Aaron Evans on for Andy Fenby.

The fourth try of the afternoon came following a move straight out of the Wales 7s book as winger Lee Williams made a strong run down midfield to link with Wales 7s team mate Lee Rees who crossed for his first of two tries for the region.

Referee Gwyn Morris awarded a penalty try to Titans with only eight minutes remaining and was converted by fullback Law. The heaven’s opened in the remaining ten minutes to slow the momentum somewhat but the Scarlets finished strongly with a second try for winger Rees in the corner.

As the third minute of injury time approached the Titans secured another try to bring the score to Scarlets 37 Rotherham Titans 25.

It was an important opening victory for the Scarlets ahead of their training week in France culminating in their fixture against Clermont Auvergne, Friday 19th August, kick off 8pm (local time).

Man of the Match: Lee Williams

Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies said he was pleased with the overall performance from his young Scarlets many of whom were playing at this level for the first time.

“There was a lot of young players on the field at Parc y Scarlets today and it’s always a bit difficult coming back into shape in the first run outs of the season – everyone’s a bit rusty and that was evident in part early on but we scored some really nice tries and the boys showed a lot of endeavour. A lot of these new players that have been part of our environment this season showed they’ve tapped into the Scarlets style of play and they went out and looked to perform.

“I thought we defended quite well two and it was a good test for us against a big pack of forwards – that’s about as physical a team as we’ll meet all year up front and it was a good match.

“We went through the phases better in the second half, we held onto the ball and we know we’ve got good individual players and given space and time will hurt sides and that’s what we did as well.”

SCARLETS

Phil John (c), Kirby Myhill , Simon Gardner , Aaron Shingler , Damian Welch , Craig Price , Richie Pugh , Kieran Murphy , Rhodri Williams , Rhys Jones , Andy Fenby , Chris Keenan , Adam Warren , Lee Williams , Jordan Williams

Replacements: Ken Owens for Kirby Myhill (40), Rhodri Gomer-Davies for Adam Warren (40), Aaron Evans for Andy Fenby (49), Rhodri Jones for Simon Gardner (54), Ed Kelly for Damian Welch (54), Nick Cudd for Richie Pugh (54), Lee Rees for Rhys Jones (58), Peter Edwards for Phil John (58), Justin James for Rhodri Williams (59), Matt Gilbert for Aaron Shingler (63), Jake Randell for Chris Keenan (63), Iolo Evans for Lee Williams (63)

Tries:Aaron Shingler (29), Andy Fenby (43), Rhodri Gomer-Davies (53), Lee Rees (61, 70) Conversions: Rhys Jones (30, 54), Jordan Williams (62) Penalties:Rhys Jones (5, 42)

Cards:35: Aaron Shingler – Yellow

ROTHERHAM TITANS

Benjamin Harris , Daniel Baines , Rob O’Donnell , Neale Patrick , Adrian Griffiths , Robin Copeland , Sean Dougall (c), Semisi Taulava , Matt Rhodes , Clifford Hodgson , Carl Kirwan, Byron Godfrey , Steve Hamilton , Shane Monahan , Garry Law

Replacements: Jamie Kilbane for Benjamin Harris (45), Tom Foden for Garry Law (55), David Marshall for Clifford Hodgson (58), Ben Hooper for Rob O’Donnell (59), Peter Homan for Shane Monahan (63), Talite Vaioletti for Neale Patrick (63), Jimmy Williams for Matt Rhodes (64), Elliot Brierley for Steve Hamilton (67), Ross Noonan for Semisi Taulava (77)

Tries:Sean Dougall (17), Penalty Try (66), Peter Homan (80+) Conversions: Garry Law (66, 80+) Penalties:Garry Law (10, 35)

Referee:Gwyn Morris (Wales)