Young Scarlets Lose Saints LV Battle

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

As the Autumn Internationals starting this weekend with the Welsh team hoping to finally record a victory against one of the ‘top 3’, the Scarlets’ young generation of stars were given the opportunity to shine in the first round of the Anglo-Welsh LV= Cup against Northampton Saints.

With conditions improving slightly following kick off, much of the first part of the game was played mid-field as neither team took control and stamped their authority on proceedings.

It was the Saints that scored the first points of the evening, demonstrating their pace as they ran from inside their own 22 before Wing Howard Packman crossed in the opposite corner. Outside Half Will Hooley added the conversion to give his side a 7 point to 0 lead.

Despite the early score, the Scarlets were soon back on the attack, but errors began creeping into their game resulting in there being a lack of any real attack and it seemed that Welsh born, English referee Tom Foley was more than happy to be whistle-friendly, particularly regarding his interpretation of the scrum which the Scarlets appeared to be dominating.

It was the result of a penalty from the scrum that offered the Saints the chance to further increase their lead; however justice was served with Hooley’s kick falling short of the upright.

The Scarlets took full advantage of their first real attacking opportunity and despite being awarded a penalty; they worked through the phases, putting exciting Full Back Steffan Evans over for his first try. Steve Shingler continued with his accurate goal kicking of last week to add the conversion and to bring his side level – 7 points all.

Northampton were soon back in the Scarlets 22 and despite stealing the line out, against handling errors crept into the Scarlets’ play. However, great work from the forwards saw the turn over ball relieve the pressure for the home team.

Fortunately, despite referee Foley’s continual penalising at the scrum, Hooley didn’t seem to have his kicking boots on as he saw another of his penalty attempts drift wide of the posts.

Superb handling from the Scarlets that saw both forwards and backs involved resulting in Steve Shingler crossing the white wash, unfortunately after the referee had already gifted the Saints yet another penalty.

Despite pressing hard as the half ended, the score remained 7 points all at half time.

The Scarlets were offered the first scoring opportunity of the second half following an immense forward presence at the scrum. However, it seemed that Steve Shingler had the same difficulty with the West Stand posts as his opposite number.

The boos rang around the stadium following the referee’s decision to award the Saints yet another penalty, this time right in front of the posts. Hooley made no mistake at this attempt as his side took the lead once more – 7 points to 10.

As the refereeing decisions became almost farcical with the longest periods of advantage played seen in the modern game, the Saints scored their second try which was converted by Hooley to give a score line of Scarlets 7, Northampton 17.

With the home team unable to string together any real phases of attack, thanks mainly to the referee, the Saints began to take control of the game, further increasing both their lead and their try tally as they yet again took full advantage of their advantage to cross in the corner. Hooley again added the conversion to give the visitors a comfortable 7 points to 24 lead.

The home side didn’t give up and despite being over the line; it was hardly surprising that the try was not awarded.

It took almost a full 80 minutes of play before the officials finally realised that the Saints had spent the majority of the game in an off-side position, despite being reminded on several occasions by the Parc y Scarlets faithful!

Scarlets’ replacement Josh Lewis was offered the chance of an opportunist’s try but was beaten by the dead ball line, resulting in play returning to the half way line.

However, the Scarlets were obviously determined to play for the whole game as the man in the middle continued to endure the wrath of the crowd as decision upon decision went against the home team.

A storming run from replacement Aaron Warren almost rewarded the men in red with a late try, but unfortunately he didn’t quite have the pace and was dragged into touch inches short of the white wash.

Mercurial Wing Jordan Williams also attempted to put some second half points on the board for the Scarlets, but it seems that when the rub of the green is against you, so is everything else, resulting in the Northampton Saints being victorious by 7 points to 24.

The young Scarlets continue their LV= Cup campaign next Friday evening as they travel to the capital to take on the next generation of the Cardiff Blues, kick off, 7.30pm.