Slow Starting Scarlets Suffer Defeat Against Table Toppers

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

For consecutive weeks the Scarlets faced Scottish opposition, hoping they could emulate the away victory against Edinburgh with a home win against Glasgow. However, the task was not going to be an easy one, whereas Edinburgh were propping up the bottom of the League Table, a Glasgow win would see them maintain their 100% record to go back to the top of the table following the Ospreys’ LOSS!!!!

It was Glasgow that started the stronger, as they were offered an early chance to cross the whitewash. Despite a strong tackle from Jon Davies, seconds later Ryan Grant crossed for the visitor’s first try which was converted by Duncan Weir to give them a 7 point lead with just 3 minutes on the clock.

With an increasing penalty count against the Glasgow team, the Scarlets seemed to struggle to take advantage and put any phases together. Rhys Priestland, making his fifth start of the season scored the home team’s first points as he slotted over a penalty to cut the deficit to 3 points to 7.

Former Scarlet favourite Sean Lamont demonstrated he still had his speed as he put his team in another promising position, with the home team fortunate not to have conceded a second try. Strong forward play from the Glasgow forwards saw them drive ever closer towards the Scarlets try line only to be stopped by Josh Turnbull, almost legally!!

Another penalty in the scrum saw the pressure temporarily relieved and a warning offered to the Glasgow team. However, it seemed the tactic for the night was to kick the ball straight back to the visitors.

The silence in Parc y Scarlets was finally broken with the cheer for another great scrum, but unfortunately the home team were unable to make use of the possession they were offered.

Minutes later, Glasgow extended both their lead and their try count with Swinson twisting his way over for the try which was duly converted by Weir to extend the Scottish team’s lead to 14 points to 3.

The Scarlets did attempt some attacking rugby but it seemed to lack the threat of the Glasgow team leaving the faithful supporters frustrated! A further penalty from the scrum saw Rhys Priestland double the Scarlets score to 6 points to 14, which was the score at the end of the first half.

Following a first half that was hardly a good advert for the Rabo Direct, it was hoped that the second half would be a far better spectacle. Despite a high penalty count Glasgow had controlled the first half, with the Scarlets only venturing into the Glasgow 22 once in the whole half!

The home team were offered a chance to increase their score within the first minute of the second half with Rhys Priestland watching his third successful kick sail through the posts to bring the score to 14 points to 9.

Suddenly the difference in the team was evident as the spark they lacked in the first half ignited. Exciting Jordan Williams was clear for the first Scarlets try of game but bizarrely and possibly showing his lack of experience at this level, he decided to pass to Liam Williams who was tackled short of the line. The home team kept the ball in hand, and finally looked like a team that could score tries. This was further aided by a Sean Lamont who was yellow carded and far from impressed with the decision!

Kicking for the corner following the penalty, the Scarlets maintained their quest for their first try and finally the crowd got behind their team vocally as the determination of the team became evident. This was not going to be an easy task against a team that has yielded just two tries this season and unfortunately, with the improvement in the play, the scrum suffered and Glasgow were able to relieve the pressure on their line.

With Lamont still off the pitch and no sign of the try, it was important that the Scarlets scored any points they could. Unfortunately Priestland took a knock during the play before the penalty was awarded so Jordan Williams stepped up to take the kick and bring the Scarlets back to within 2 points – 12 points to 14.

The lead didn’t remain at 2 points for long though, with Weir successful with yet another kick to give his side a 12 points to 17 advantage despite the Glasgow team hardly being in the game at all during the second half.

The success of the kick seemed to rejuvenate the visitors and saw the Scarlets back in defence. Another break from Sean Lamont saw him almost crossing for a try that would seal the victory, but a solid tackle from Scrum Half Rhodri Williams saved his team.

It was certainly Glasgow that were finishing the stronger, something they have done consistently this season, winning a couple of their matches in the final minutes to give them the recognition of being the ’80 minute team’.

To their credit, the Scarlets also continued to play right until the final whistle. An error from Duncan Weir kicking the ball out on the full, along with the vision of the referee who gave star player Matawalu his matching orders for stamping, gave the home team one final chance to secure victory from the Scots.

Strangely the decision was to kick for the posts rather than the corner, possibly to try and win the game by kicking points rather than score the illusive try. Unfortunately Jordan Williams was unsuccessful with his kick and it looked increasingly likely that the Scarlets would again have to settle for a losing bonus point.

Unfortunately, the final score was 12 points to 17 with the Scarlets suffering their third defeat of the season in the Rabo Direct. Let’s hope the start of the second half performance can be continued next week as the Heineken Cup campaign starts with a visit to Harlequins. One positive from today’s game of course is that with Glasgow maintaining their winning ways, they now leapfrog the Ospreys to return to the top of the table whilst the Scarlets remain mid table in seventh.