Match Report: Treviso V Scarlets

By Helen ‘Helz Bach’ Davies

And so an indifferent season reaches it’s end as the Scarlets enjoy the Italian sunshine as they travel to Treviso with just one aim….to reach the top 6 of the Pro12 and ensure the continuation of top tier European Rugby for next season.

The maths are simple – win and the Champions Cup beckons, 2 points from a draw would have the same result. However, Treviso are a tricky team to play at home and a loss would see the fate of the Welsh region in the hands of their arch rivals the Ospreys who face Connacht, the only team that could oust the Scarlets from the all-important sixth position, unless  Edinburgh secure a bonus point win against Leinster, which is highly unlikely.

A strong contingent of supporters welcomed the team onto the pitch, basked in Italian sunshine. The visitors demonstrated good recycling of the ball during the opening minutes of the game despite playing into the wind for the first half; however the Treviso defence held firm.

Despite the Scarlets starting as favourites, the home team wasted little time in demonstrating how dangerous they can be with ball in hand also, running good angles to secure an attacking line-out deep in the Scarlets 22.

Using their favoured driving line-out, the Italians secured the first try of the afternoon through their Hooker Davide Giazzon who squeezed over in the corner. Full Back Jayden Hayward was unable to add the conversion, but the home team were able to secure a 5 point to 0 lead.

Good work at the break down saw number 8 Matt Luamanu take advantage of the turnover ball to storm his way towards the try line, being brought down inches short of the white wash, spilling the ball forward.

A struggling scrum resulted in the Scarlets being penalised enabling Hayward to increase the home team’s lead to 8 points to 0.

A well-worked moved from the Scarlets saw them inches from the try line. However they were unable to ground the ball but were able to secure their first points of the afternoon as the departing Rhys Priestland kicked his first penalty to narrow the gap to 8 points to 3.

Demonstrating adventure by running the ball from their own try line saw Adam Warren break through the defence only to see his pass, meant for Scott Williams, intercepted by Full Back Hayward who beat the defence to score the home team’s second try of the afternoon. His conversion, from a similar position to the last, again sailed wide of the posts, however, the Italians now boasted a 10 point advantage – 13 points to 3.

With two tries already under their belt, the home team found themselves in another strong attacking position and despite struggling in previous encounters, the men in yellow held firm, but unfortunately the ball was carried over the try line and the Scarlets again faced a scrum.

It took a third, crucial scrum for the Scarlets forwards to make their mark, relieving the pressure just before half time, ending a poor half of rugby for the Scarlets, especially given the importance of the win.