Brave Scarlets face European heartbreak once more

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

Following another historic win last week out in France, the Scarlets were back in familiar territory, home at Parc y Scarlets for the final pool match of this season’s Heineken Cup. In contrast to previous weeks, there was finally something for the young Scarlets to play for – a possible Quarter Final place in the Amlin Cup.

The target was firstly of course to secure the win, then, according to the maths, score three tries. Not an easy task, particularly given the try drought during the Festive Season.

The game began with a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for former Scarlets and Wales Wing Ray Williams who passed away last week before probably the biggest 80 minutes in the Scarlets jersey so far this season.

Despite Harlequins having the early possession, great work on the ground soon saw the home team securing turn-over ball, however an apparent high tackle on Scrum Half Gareth Davies stopped play though no action was taken and Harlequins found themselves on the attack in the home side’s 22.

A quick-thinking Rhys Priestland took the penalty quickly to offer his half back partner Gareth the break, but he was alone and the tackle was inevitable! However, minutes later, the lively scrum half found himself receiving the try – scoring pass following some creative passing in mid-field. As Rhys Priestland added the conversion to give the home side a 7 points to 0 lead, Calon Lân filled the air as the atmosphere became electric.

The confidence displayed by the men in red was evident as the backs demonstrated the type of rugby the Scarlets have become famous for. However, despite all the possession and playing the majority of the rugby, an over-enthusiastic Aaron Shingler did his side no favours by leaving them a man short for 10 minutes following his yellow card.

The Quins took full advantage of both their extra man and their field position to score their first try of the afternoon, with Full Back Mike Brown running in un-opposed to cross the white-wash. Outside Half Nick Evans somehow managed to curl in his tricky conversion attempt to bring the scores level at 7 points all.

Despite being a man down, the Scarlets forwards took control of the game and play was set firmly in the Harlequins half. Exciting young Wing Jordan Williams was offered the opportunity to reclaim the lead for his team with a penalty attempt; however, despite having the legs, his kick sailed just wide.

As the torrential rain poured down, conditions became increasingly slippery, on this occasion it was decided to kick for touch rather than attempt a penalty kick, hoping to use their field advantage, possession and the returning Aaron Shingler to full advantage.

A huge scrummaging effort from the Scarlets gained rewards as the errors began to creep into the Quins’ game as the men in red once again demonstrated that they were very much a team, a team playing for each other as well as the supporter.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t the Scarlets who scored the next try of the match, with a sea of red jerseys on the floor injured, Wing Ollie Lindsay-Hague crossed unopposed for the try. Evans added the simple conversion to bring the score line to 7 points to 14; however, the concern was more for the injured Gareth Maule, who gingerly limped off following a lengthy time on the floor, after being knocked out cold, to be replaced by Adam Warren.

Crossing the gain line became increasingly difficult for the Scarlets as play became very lateral, however, a dropped ball from the Quins put the men in red back in their opposition half once more, though the spark of the first quarter of the match had been lost.

A huge penalty from Rhys Priestland narrowed the gap to 10 points to 14 as the end of the first half got increasingly closer. This was followed by another huge boot downfield to offer his team the chance to score more points before the end of the half.

A darting run from Jordan Williams saw the team in the Quins 22 before the forwards took control and ended with an opportunist try from the alert Aaron Shingler, who pounced on the ball that had trickled out of the Harlequins scrum over the try line. TMO Jean-Marie Piraveau confirmed that the try had indeed been scored with just seconds remaining of the first half. Unfortunately Priestland saw his kick sail just past the posts, but the Scarlets ran in for the half time break in the lead, 15 points to 14, and crucially with 2 tries already in the bag.

The conditions in the second half were atrocious and despite the slippery conditions, the Scarlets continued to run the ball among the backs. Unfortunately a handling error denied the home team their third try almost from the re-start as the team found gaping holes in the Quins’ defence.

A powerful forward effort from the Harlequins resulted in them testing the Welsh Region’s defence, before Scrum Half Karl Dickson crossed for the try in the corner. Evans was unsuccessful with his conversion attempt, but the try put the Quins back in the lead – 15 points to 19.

The Scarlets required composure and attack, as they began crossing the gain line with ease. A kick through from Scott Williams was thwarted when he was held back from chasing his own kick, though referee Jerome Garces let play continue and it was the same Williams that finally managed to end the move and just sneak the ball over the try line for the home team’s third try of the afternoon.

Priestland again missed with his kick, however the Scarlets regained the lead by a single point – 20 points to 19 as the Parc y Scarlets faithful anticipated a fingernail-biting conclusion to this game.

A break from Centre Scott Williams saw him run the ball from behind his own try line, galloping into the Harlequins 22, however, the groans of the crowd thundered through Parc y Scarlets as his pass, that would almost certainly have resulted in a try was just forward.

The confidence and determination in the whole of the Scarlets team was obvious as each and every one of the team seemed intent on scoring a try. Unfortunately, they can be accused of trying a bit too hard on time as try scoring opportunities went begging.

Jordan Williams was offered the opportunity to increase the Scarlets’ lead with another attempt at a long range penalty, but on this occasion he had neither the legs nor the accuracy.

The commitment from the players was nothing more than monumental as ball after ball was run from all areas of the field, play varied and there was little the Harlequins defence could do to stop the Scarlets as they gave their all in an attempt to march to the knock-out stages of the Amlin Cup.

As the seconds ticked away and with just 6 minutes left , the Scarlets were left to defend their slender one point advantage as the Quins launched their best attacking period of the second half. To the relief of the Scarlets faithful, Hopper was wide with his drop goal attempt that would have seen victory snatched from the home team in the dying minutes, something a bit too familiar for the men in red.

A penalty decision for off-side caused an unfavourable reaction as an almost whole team brawl ensued and the thunderous boos of the crowd rang out as replacement Ben Botica lined up his penalty attempt. With just 2 minutes remaining on the clock, the hearts of the Scarlets dropped as Botica’s successful kick regained them the lead – 20 points to 22 and it seems that all those missed opportunities could be returning to haunt the home team, and haunt them it did.

The disappointment on the faces of the Scarlets as they left the field, battered, bruised and exhausted after giving their all demonstrated just how much these players had wanted to win today. Sometimes losing cruelly in a game that should have been won is much harder to bear than being humiliated on the pitch.

Next Friday the Scarlets again play at home, facing Nig
el Davies’ Gloucester in the LV=Cup.