100% NEWTON KICKS SCARLETS TO AIRONI VICTORY

BY Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

 

The waiting was finally over – the new season had arrived and a warm Parc y Scarlets welcome met the infamous Rowland Phillips and his Aironi team.

 

The earlier sunshine had been replaced by rain, but there was anticipation in the air as the Scarlets ran out, led by captain, Iestyn Thomas, eager to ensure that the Italians were unsuccessful in their bid to record their first victory away from home.

The last of the four regions to play this weekend in the new Rabo Direct PRO 12 League, the Scarlets began their quest without the Internationals who are no doubt basking in the New Zealand sunshine!

It was a year ago, that the Scarlets lost a game that they expected to win, against the other Italian team in the League, so it was essential that this season was kicked off with a ‘W’.

Unfortunately, a shaky line out led to a handling error from the home team, offering an early scrum to the visitors. A second line out proved more successful and in the Llanelli drizzle, the Scarlets gained a better field position.

Ben Morgan continued to impress from last season with a blistering run upfield, securing a penalty in the process.

However, the Italians refused to make it easy for the men in Scarlet, showing a huge improvement on last season.

With 5 minutes on the clock, the Scarlets finally managed to string together a few passes, however, with the ball resembling a bar of soap, handling proved difficult.

It was Aironi that was offered the first chance at points on the board, following the Scarlets being penalised at the scrum. South African born Naas Olivier made no mistake in securing the 3 points on offer.

The home team attacked well from the restart, working through the phases and gaining good field position. Unfortunately, the Scottish referee decided to penalise the Scarlets for offside and once again all the hard work resulted in no change in the score board.

The Italians continued their attack, and were awarded with a scrum in the Scarlets 22.

Great work from the forwards saw the Scarlets destroy the Aironi scrum to secure a penalty which saw the home team back on the attack, forcing an Aironi error to secure a scrum of their own, but this time in the Aironi 22.

The forwards worked hard, driving forward, inching ever closer to the try line, with the crowds urging the team to cross, but once again the elements saw the ball slip from the grasp, and yet another chance go begging.

Worse was to come as the Scarlets lost their own line out and the visitors began their own race for the line before the Scarlets could ease the pressure and get back into the opposition half.

The Scarlets finally got the opportunity to equalise with just over 20 minutes on the clock, after Aironi were penalised for off side.

With both Stephen Jones and Rhys Priestland in the Welsh World Cup Squad, and Steve Shingler now in London Irish, it was Dan Newton who watched his kick sail through the posts to bring the score to 3 points all.

Unfortunately, it was just a matter of minutes later that Olivier once again kicked a penalty to regain the lead for the Italians – 3 points to 6.

The Scarlets failed to take advantage of an Aironi handling error but were offered the opportunity of a scrum, and from that, began to attempt an attack, albeit rather scrappy.

With the familiar shouts of ‘Scarlets, Scarlets’ filling the heart and soul stadium, Dan Newton had the chance to equalise the score again. Once more, he saw his kick sail through the posts.

Suddenly the Scarlets seemed to spark into life a little and were awarded with a Daniel Evans kick that took play back into the Italian 22.

With half time looming, Aironi were reduced to 14 men and Newton kicked his team into the lead for the first time…..9 points to 6.

A bizarre penalty just before half time saw Ben Morgan penalised for not rolling away, despite being literally at the bottom of a pile of rugby players. Olivier took the chance to once again equalise the score, but this time, didn’t have the legs to reach the posts.

The second half continued in the same fashion, with the weather definitely affecting play.

Olivier was offered a second chance to bring his team level, but was once again short, to the delight of crowd who were less than impressed with the length of time he took to take his kick!

Minutes later he was successful, to give a score line of 9 all.

The Scarlets’ discipline began to let them down as they were penalised once again, but they finally gave their supporters something to cheer about with Hooker Emyr Phillips storming down the wing, before Ben Morgan continued the attack in midfield. Prop Rhys Thomas finally crossed for the first try of the game with 50 minutes on the clock. Dan Newton successfully converted the try to bring the score to 16 points to 9.

A new found confidence saw the Scarlets attack once again and also the mistakes beginning to creep into the Italian team’s play.

However, play seemed to stay around the half way line, with neither team making much ground.

A strong Scarlets scrum and subsequent Dan Newton penalty saw the home stretch the lead to 10 points…19 points to 9.

Unfortunately, yet another line out error let the men in Scarlet down as they attempted to increase their lead and possibly secure a bonus point.

With the rain becoming heavier, the forwards took it on themselves to drive forward, inching ever closer to the line.

Captain Iestyn Thomas made his last decision before making way for Phil John to take the field, offering Dan Newton another kick at goal.

Once again, he was successful to bring the score to a comfortable 22 points
to 9.

Great Scarlets pressure saw Andy Fenby dive over for the home team’s second try of the afternoon, with

Dan Newton continuing his 100% record as he was successful with his 7th kick of the afternoon, to bring the score to 29 points to 9.

A communal groan of the crowd met the decision to kick a last minute penalty, who had hoped to see the home team run!

It meant the Scarlets finished the game off with replacement Rhys Jones continuing the immense kicking display to give a final score of 32 points to 9.

It wasn’t a typical Scarlets performance, with the weather conditions heavily influencing play, but following a close first half, the Scarlets finally took charge of the game to grind out a hard-fought win.

Next Saturday, the Scarlets will be on their travels to The Sportsground in Galway, as they face the Connacht challenge, kick off is at 3.15pm.