Unbeaten Scarlets Hold on to Secure Racing Draw

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

Following superb first round victories for both teams, the Scarlets welcomed Racing Metro to Parc y Scarlets for the second round of this season’s Heineken Cup competition.

Both teams were confident after the results of last weekend – the Scarlets gaining an all-important away win against the Harlequins which saw them sitting at the top of Pool 4 and Racing defying the odds to beat Clermont, despite being in possession for just 9 minutes!

A huge roar of the crowd along with fireworks welcomed the Scarlets home, with the Scarlet faithful hoping the men in red could continue their winning ways.

Within in the first minute Rhys Priestland who was successful with every kick last week was offered a chance to open the scoring but unfortunately saw his kick sail just to the left of the posts.

He was soon given another chance right in front of the posts but yet again it seemed Priestland had left his kicking boots back in the changing room as disappointingly the Scarlets could have been 6 points to 0 up within the first five minutes.

However, it was Racing Metro that had the first real opportunity at scoring a try. Fortunately a forward pass saved the day for the Scarlets on this occasion, but a strong scrummaging effort from the French saw them steal the ball from the Scarlets and Flanker Wenceslas Lauret crossed for the first try of the game. Jonathan Sexton added the conversion to give the visitors a 7 point to 0 lead.

Despite the Scarlets’ strong start the confidence in the big spending French team was evident andSexton further increased their lead with another penalty to give a score line of 0 points to 10.

The Scarlets finally demonstrated their determination to play rugby as they began to string together a series of passes with both forwards and backs involved, as they inched their way back into the Racing half.

Outside Half Priestland finally put the Scarlets on the scoreboard with his first successful penalty after 18 minutes play to bring the score to 3 points to 10.

A superb kick and lucky bounce saw Scott Williams score the first try for the Scarlets thanks to a pass from his centre partner, Captain Jon Davies. Parc y Scarlets were on their feet to watch him dive under the posts. Priestland added an easy conversion and suddenly the score line was 10 all and the sound of ‘Hymns and Arias’ filled the air.

Referee Neil Paterson was public enemy number one following his decision to award a penalty to Racing from the scrum. The thunderous booing showed the crowd’s disagreement with his decision and maybe it was justice that saw the Scarlets gain possession from the Racing lineout to test the French defence.

Sexton was offered the offered the opportunity to regain the Racing lead just past the half hour mark, however, the roar of the North Stand faithful told you that he had failed with his attempt long before the ball reached the posts!

Racing Metro Captain and Hooker Dimitri Szarzewski’s yellow card saw the home team ending the half with a man advantage. The ensuing penalty, successfully kicked by Rhys Priestland gave the Scarlets the lead for the first time – 13 points to 10.

With the home supporters shouting their support, the Scarlets drove ever closer to the try line with superb skills from Rhys Priestland and Liam Williams among others, however, the touch line became the extra defender for the visitors.

Referee Paterson took full advantage of the TMO to review French foul play and the departure of replacement Fabrice Estebanez saw the French team down to 13 men. Hoping to take full advantage of the extra men the home team opted to kick for the corner rather than the posts.

The decision was the correct one with Scrum Half Rhodri Williams crossing for the home side’s second try and continuing the Williams’ try scoring prowess of last week. Priestland’s conversion, the last kick of the game, gave the Scarlets a 20 points to 10 half time advantage.

Superb handling and running angles saw the Scarlets start off the second half as they had ended the first. Rhys Priestland was offered an early penalty attempt from just inside the Racing half and made no mistake to give the Scarlets a 23 point to 10 lead.

With his team back up to 15 men, Sexton cut the deficit slightly with a successful penalty following a lengthy preparation period. This brought his team back to within 10 points – 23 points to 13.

A kick ahead from Full Back Benjamin Lapeyre ensured the Scarlets demonstrated their pace as they scrambled back in the race to defend their try line. Unfortunately the ball was carried over the line and from the scrum 5, Number 8 Sakiusa Matadigo drove over for his team’s second try. It seemed once again the French team were able to keep the score board ticking whilst living on scraps of possession. Sexton added the conversion and suddenly just 3 points separated the teams – 23 points to 20.

The French team was obviously buoyed by the scores and the Scarlets found themselves on the back foot. Desperate defence saw the ball just spill into touch, however, a penalty for off-side saw Sexton draw the scores at 23 all in a reversal of the first half.

Having lost only twice at home in the past 7 matches against French teams, the Parc y Scarlets faithful got behind the team in the hope that the men in red could emulate the feat of their neighbours Cardiff Blues who had recorded a victory against current Champions Toulon to give coach and former Scarlets favourite Phil Davies a fantastic 50th birthday present!

Rhys Priestland put the home team back in the lead on 65 minutes with his successful penalty to give a score line of 26 points to 23, but play was soon back in the Scarlets half.

Sexton was again offered the chance to level scores following Liam Williams being penalised for a late tackle despite his pleas that he was committed. International Sexton was successful once again and the scores were tied at 26 points, ensuring the final 10 minutes would be a tense encounter for both.

A French rolling maul had the small French contingent waving their flags enthusiastically before the backs continued the move, demonstrating superb handling to keep the ball in play. Bizarrely referee Paterson was apparently playing a considerable amount of advantage and took play way back for a penalty that saw Sexton attempt to restore the French lead. Possibly the frustration of the referee’s decision, and possibly the frustration at the considerable length of time Sexton took with each kick, but fortunately, it seems the whistling, jeering crowd interrupted the Sexton concentration and his miss was met with the huge appreciation of the crowd.

With just 5 minutes left of the clock, the 8,000 plus crowd began their chanting of ‘Scarlets, Scarlets’ in the hope it would encourage the team for one more score to ensure both victory and a 100% record in this season’s campaign.

With just seconds of the match remaining, the French team crossed the white wash and with hearts racing the TMO was left to decide the fate of the game. Fortunately forward passes in the build-up to the try resulted in the try being disallowed and the game ended a draw to the disappointment of the Scarlet faithful who believed the team should have won this home fixture and were left rueing the difference the missed 6 points at the start of the game could have made.

However, the draw was certainly more acceptable than a last gasp loss and it sees the Welsh Region remain unbeaten in the competition to stay at the top of Pool 4. The campaign continues in December with tricky back-to-back games against Clermont.

Next Friday it’s back to Rabo action as the Scarlets travel to Italy to play Zebre on Friday night.