Scarlets secure important must win against Zebre

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

With the end of the season looming and a place in the top 6 paramount despite the continuing uncertainty, the Scarlets welcomed Zebre to Parc y Scarlets for this week’s evening kick off in yet another ‘must win’ game.

Despite being the ‘whipping boys’ of the league, the Italians have improved significanlty since their introduction and managed to secure a draw against the Scarlets in the return fixture at the end of October.

The Scarlets were offered an early chance to put points on the board as Zebre were penalised for obstruction from the kick off. Rhys Priestland made no mistake in slotting his kick through the posts to give the home team an early 3 point to 0 advantage.

A strong scrummaging effort from the Scarlets offered the men in red a chance to run at their opponents, running good angles to cross the gain line easily. They were awarded for their efforts with another penalty attempt, this time in a trickier position but Priestland again proved that he had his kicking boots well and truly on with his well-struck effort increasing the Scarlets lead to 6 points to 0.

Zebre were finally offered the chance to open their scoring with a penalty following 10 minutes of play. However, the post got in the way of the effort and the clearing kick brought play out of the Scarlets 22.

They were offered a second bite of the cherry just minutes later and this time Centre Gonzalo Garcia, sporting a replica Jake Ball beard of his own, made no mistake in cutting the deficit to 6 points to 3.

With the win being the most important factor, the home team once again opted to kick for the points following a further penalty reward, however on this occasion Priestland was unable to continue with his 100% record.

A break downfield from Wing Kristian Phillips raised the volume from the crowd, but handling errors again crept into the game, cutting short the race to the line.

It was fortunate that Zebre suffered from handling errors of their own as Rhys Priestland saw his clearing kick charged down just short of the try line with only the fumbling of the try scoring pass saving the try.

Playing probably their best rugby of the game so far, the Italians took advantage of their field position to play through the phases as they inched ever closer to the Scarlets try line and demonstrated their intent and their forward power by opting for the scrum at the penalty rather than the kicking option.

It proved to be the right option for them as Number 8 Samuela Vunisa drove over at close range for the opening try of the game. On this occasion Garcia was unable to add the extras but the try saw the lead change hands – Scarlets 6, Zebre 8.

This wakeup call saw the home side back on the attack however they seemed unable to break into the Zebre 22 despite varying their play and unfortunately a rather relaxed Jonathan Davies was unable to match the pace of Zebre wing Giulio Toniolatti as he crossed for Zebre’s second try.

Again the conversion was wide of the posts but the visitors still increased their lead to 6 points to 13. Though this margin was short lived as Priestland added to his tally with an easy penalty attempt right in front of the posts to cut the deficit to 4 points – 9 – 13 as half time loomed.

Referee Andrew McMenemy from Scotland used the big screen to further increase the Scarlets woes as he deemed the accidental forearm from Sione Tiamani was dangerous and sent him to the bin for 10 minutes.

With play deep in the Scarlets 22 and a man advantage, it looked highly likely that Zebre would end the half with their third try, particularly with referee McMenemy truly being a Scarlets enemy with his decision making, much to the disapproval of the crowd.

He did however make one correct decision as Zebre claimed their third try, but with the grounding being inconclusive, they were forced to make another attempt. As the first half reached injury time once again Zebre claimed their third try but again, the screen proved to be the Scarlets saviour as the grounding of the ball was questioned.

Despite a strong start to the second half a great catch by Rhys Priestland saw the home team back on the attack with Liam Williams’ break releasing Wing Jordan Williams who ran in unopposed under the posts. The added conversion from Priestland saw the Welsh Region regain their lead – 16 points to 13.

However, Zebre proved that if the Scarlets wanted to secure the win, they would have to play rugby and it was certainly not a matter of course.

A rejuvenated Scarlets battled both an off-side Zebre and a blind referee as they inched closer to the whitewash before replacement Hooker, the popular Ken Owens drove over from the base of the ruck. On this occasion Priestland was unable to add the conversion, but Owens’ try gave the home team some breathing space – 21 points to 13.

It was Liam Williams who again put the Scarlets back in a good attacking position as he caught his own high ball to release firstly Ken Owens and then Josh Turnbull; however this time the Zebre back line were able to clear their lines.

The Scarlets lead was increased to 11 points with another successful penalty from Rhys Priestland giving the men in red a little breathing space….24 points to 13 as it was hoped that a try bonus point would be on the agenda.

Zebre, on the other hand had other ideas as they continued in their own quest for a victory with only a forward pass in midfield stopping them notch up another try.

Sloppy defence from the Scarlets did let in a Zebre try with Centre Gonzalo Garcia crossing under the posts. Replacement Luciano Orquera added the conversion and the Scarlets’ comfortable lead was suddenly reduced to just 4 points – 24 points to 20 as Zebre continued to prove they are a strong team in their own right.

Another Priestland penalty again relieved the pressure slightly on the home team as the game neared the final 10 minutes….Scarlets 27, Zebre 20.

The quick thinking of Liam Williams again saved the Scarlets as he not only called for the mark to relieve the pressure but he managed to take play back into the Zebre half before the cheering crowd welcomed back Steve Shingler back from injury as a replacement for Rhys Priestland.

An immense rolling maul demonstrating the forward power of the Scarlets and subsequent penalty offered the home team the chance to end the game on a high as they secured good field position inside the Zebre 22, however, another handling error meant the wrong team was in possession. The forwards weren’t content to give up the position they had worked so hard for though without some form of reward and secured another penalty at the scrum to offer Shingler a chance at goal.

With just a few seconds on the clock, he was unfortunately unable to increase the Scarlets lead with the last kick of the game.

However, a win is a win and the vast majority of the six thousand plus crowd went home satisfied with the hard fought, if not convincing victory.