Young Scarlets Secure LV= Cup First Round Success

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

Following what Coach Simon Easterby described as the ‘performance of the season’ against a strong Ulster team last week, the Scarlets were again at home this week for the start of the LV= Cup competition played between the Welsh Rabo Direct teams and the English Premiership teams.

Traditionally started during the Autumn Internationals, the competition provides a chance for the young talent to shine. Over the last few seasons players like Jordan Williams and Rhodri Williams, who now finds himself in the Welsh Squad, have gained valuable experience in these games.

This season, the Scarlets face the Newport Gwent Dragons, Saracens, former Coach Nigel Davies’ Gloucester and London Irish.

Hoping to build on last week’s performance, a win against the Newport Gwent Dragons would certainly maintain momentum. The Dragons have witnessed a change in fortune this season, in part due to the appointment of a former Scarlets favourite as Coach. With one win against the Scarlets already under his belt this season, the charismatic Lyn Jones would surely love to gain another victory, this time in the Scarlets’ back yard.

The visitors started the stronger of the two teams, taking full advantage of a free kick off a Scarlets scrum. Outside Half Kristopher Burton missed the chance to see his side take an early lead as his drop goal effort was wide.

A strong run from Scarlets Flanker Daniel Thomas got the crowd warmed up; however he lacked the support that could possibly have resulted in an early try for the men in red.

Scarlets number 10, Aled Thomas did put points on the board soon after with his successful penalty kick following a ‘handbag’ exchange, to give his side a 3 points to 0 lead.

Burton was offered the chance to equalise the score minutes later but was well short with his effort, though it did give his team good field position.

Following considerable advantage, Aled Thomas doubled the score of the home team to 6 points to 0 with a well struck penalty after 20 minutes of play.

Despite neither side really looking like scoring a try during a half being dominated by the referee’s whistle, the Scarlets continued to use their field position to their advantage whilst attempting to build on the strong forwards platform that has been a talking point this season.

The Dragons missed yet another penalty just before the half hour mark, but did gain themselves a line out just on the Scarlets’ try line, however, their failure to release the ball relieved the pressure for the home team.

Aled Thomas again stepped up to take the penalty just before the end of the half, but unfortunately hooked the ball way to the left of the posts. He was offered a second chance minutes later as the solid scrummaging efforts this season continued. Unfortunately, he was wide yet again, meaning the score remained at 6 points to 0 at half time.

The second half continued much like the first, with the game being played between the two 22’s for the main part. The Dragons finally got some points on the board with a penalty almost in front of the posts. Kristopher Burton was on target to bridge the gap to 6 points to 3.

A kick from Scarlets Full Back, Gareth Owen finally saw play enter into the Dragons 22, but with the wrong team in possession it wasn’t long before the ball was back in familiar mid-field territory.

Following a series of penalties, referee Matt Carley of England finally made the decision to yellow card Dragons’ Scott Matthews. With the visitors down to 14 men, and a scrum inside the 22, the Scarlets were within breathing distance of the Dragons try line. Using the strong forwards platform before releasing the ball to the backs, the reward finally came when Wing Chris Knight crossed in the corner for the first try of the evening.

The tricky conversion from the touch line was unsuccessful, but the 11 points to 3 lead gave the home team a little breathing space with just under 20 minutes of the game remaining.

A superb break minutes later saw a great try finished off by returning Captain Rob McCusker as the Scarlets kept the ball tight, despite replacement Wing Kristian Phillips totally unopposed and waving frantically from the opposite touch line. Replacement Outside Half Josh Lewis added the conversion to give the Scarlets an 18 point to 3 lead to the delight of the supporters who would be taking advantage of the 36p off per pint after the game thanks to the 2p per point off a pint incentive!

The Dragons proved they had no intention of giving up and worked the ball through the phases before Outside Half Kristopher Burton crossed for the team’s first try of the night which he converted himself to bring the scoreline to 18 points to 10.

Replacement Rhys Jones further increased the Dragons’ tally for the night minutes later with a well struck penalty to put the visitors within a try of equalising the score – 18 points to 13.

Josh Lewis continued with his 100% kicking record with a fantastic long range effort to once again put the Scarlets two scores ahead of the visitors – 21 points to 13; however the restart saw the Dragons immediately back deep in the Scarlets 22.

With just minutes remaining on the clock the scenes were almost a mirror image of the end of the Dragons game in Rodney Parade, but this time it was the Dragons pressuring the strength of the Scarlets’ defence, a man down following the sin binning of Centre Gareth Maule. A lengthy clearance kick from Josh Lewis saw the game back almost on the half way line. Fortunately, the score remained 21 points to 13 at the final whistle……42p off per pint….bargain!

Next Sunday the Scarlets travel to Allianz Park to take on the Saracens in the second round of the competition.