SCARLETS BATTLE HARD IN TIGHT CONTEST AGAINST STRONG EXETER SIDE

Exeter 16 Scarlets 13

THE Scarlets produced another battling effort against a near full-strength Exeter side, but fell just short of victory in their final pre-season encounter before the start of the RaboDirect Pro12 campaign.

Despite missing 10 internationals on World Cup duty as well as a number of senior players, the Scarlets gave as good as they got against a Chiefs side who have been in rampant form in their two warm-up victories.

The Scarlets were level at 6-6 until the home side struck with two tries in the closing stages and a late try and conversion from replacement fly-half Rhys Jones was just not enough.

Nevertheless, head coach Nigel Davies will be heartened by the display of his side with the likes of Josh Turnbull, Andy Fenby, Dan Evans, Emyr Phillips and Aaron Shingler showing up well.

Then only down side with an injury to skipper Johnathan Edwards who limped off in the second half with a dead leg.

After Chiefs fly-half Gareth Steenson had pushed two penalties wide from straight in front, the No. 10 finally found his range after 20 minutes to open the scoring.

The Scarlets, cheered on by another vocal away support, spent much of the opening half hour on the back foot, but Davies would have been delighted with the defensive resolve of his young players.

When they did get hold of the ball there were some sparky moments from Fenby and some nice touches from fly-half Dan Newton.

And after Steenson had made it 6-0 it was Newton who opened the Scarlets account on 32 minutes after a half-break by Fenby and neat chip through from full-back Dan Evans.

However, handed a chance to level matters just before half-time, Newton pushed his strike just wide of the uprights.

The fly-half made no mistake two minutes after the restart after superb sleight of hand from wing Lee Williams wide out. The Scarlets, with more possession coming their way, were far more threatening after the break. And despite Davies sending on a host of replacements, they looked the more likely to emerge with the spoils.

No. 8 Ben Morgan powered through, but lost the ball five metres out, while centre Aled Thomas and the quicksilver Williams also caused the home defence plenty of headaches.

However, with the Scarlets pressing, a dropped pass by replacement prop Simon Gardiner on 70 minutes saw Exeter pounce and launch a thrilling length-of-the-field counter which ended with wing Matt Jess showing a superb turn of pace to cross in the corner.

With the Scarlets giving an opportunity to all 12 replacements, unsurprisingly, they lost their shape in the closing stages.

Replacement centre Bryan Rennie showed good strength to touch down in the corner to make it 16-6, but a fine try from Rhys Jones, set up by a scything break from Rhodri Gomer-Davies was just reward for the Scarlets’ efforts.

All in all the Scarlets Head Coach said he had plenty to work with after the Scarlets put in an intense performance away from home against a strong Exeter side that smashed Connacht 47-10 away from home this summer and put in winning scoreline of 58-3 against Cornish Pirates last time out.

Scarlets Head Coach Nigel Davies said: “That was a tough, physical encounter for the boys and a good test and work out for us ahead of the start of the competitive league season next week.

“They brought a big game to us and we did well to stay in it and hold them in the first 20 minutes when we were on the back foot; and I was encouraged to see how well we defended against a strong push from a big side.

“We were lacking a bit of quality in the finish and control in the back and we turned the ball over at key times. The second half we dominated and were a much better side.

“With a lot of our young Scarlets on the pitch today, we played a tight and intense game keeping it alive and battling to the end against a side that returned home after big performances on the road in their last two outings. Our forwards did well without some senior players like Iestyn (Thomas) and Rhys (Thomas) so overall I’m not too disappointed.”

“There’s a bit of work to do ahead of next Sunday’s home fixture against Aironi as we kick off the RaboDirect Pro12 league, but plenty to be pleased about from what we have seen from the approach and attitude the players have shown in testing pre-season fixtures.”

Scarlets team against Exeter Chiefs Saturday 27th August kicked off 1500 at Sandy Park stadium. 15 Daniel Evans, 14 Lee Williams, 13 Nick Reynolds, 12 Aled Thomas, 11 Andy Fenby, 10 Dan Newton, 9 Rhodri Williams, 1 Rhodri Jones, 2 Emyr Phillips, 3 Peter Edwards, 4 Aaron Shingler, 5 Dominic Day, 6 Josh Turnbull, 7 Johnathan Edwards (capt) 8 Ben Morgan.

Replacements: Justin James, Rhodri Gomer-Davies, Adam Warren, Lee Rees, Rhys Jones, Iestyn Thomas, Kirby Myhill, Phil John, Simon Gardiner, Lou Reed, Damian Welch, Craig Price, Richie Pugh.

Next fixture: Scarlets v Aironi, Sunday 4th September 2011, kick-off 1600.