SCARLETS SETTLE FOR LOSING BONUS POINT IN THE RDS

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

Following 3 successive Friday nights spent at Parc y Scarlets, the Scarlets travelled to the RDS to face possibly the hardest test of the season so far against a strong Leinster team as they aimed to keep their 100% record intact. With 6 wins out of 6, it was hoped that this wasn’t a game too far as the top placed Welsh region by far aimed to do the double.

It took less than 30 seconds for the visitors to be awarded a penalty. They declined the offer of a long-range kick, preferring to take advantage of their field position. Unfortunately Leinster managed to turn the ball over deep in their 22, however a slap on Prop Rob Evans saw another penalty award before the ball retention of the Scarlets resulted in Hadleigh Parkes crossing for the first try of the evening. Dan Jones added the conversion to give the Welsh region a 7 point to 0 lead.

A huge effort from the Leinster forwards saw a powerful rolling maul almost cross for a try. Disappointingly the only option the Scarlets had in defence was to bring down the maul which resulted in both a penalty along with a yellow card for Jake Ball.

In many ways the Scarlets were fortunate to only concede 3 points as Outside Half Ian Madigan opened the scoring for the hosts to give a score line of 3 points to 7.

Another penalty from Madigan narrowed the gap to just a point, 6 points to 7 as Ball returned to the pitch. Despite being a man down and conceding 6 points, the defence work of the visitors certainly limited the damage.

A superb break from in-form Scrum Half Gareth Davies coupled with some poor defence from the Irish region saw Gareth Owen squeeze in the corner for the second try of the evening. Jones was unable to add the extras from the touch line, however the Scarlets lead was now 6 points to 12.

Another penalty from Madigan very much kept Leinster in the game as he made it 3 from 3 and again narrowed the gap to just 3 points – 9 points to 12.

An apparent high tackle from Michael Tagicakibau offered the advantage back to Leinster, however it was the Scarlets that got the next points with a well-struck penalty from Jones to further increase the lead, 9 points to 15 as the Scarlets continued to demonstrate that so far they seemed to have gel well as a team.

A penalty for off-side saw the visitors opt for a kick to the corner rather than take the 3 points as they hoped to add to their try count, however a turn-over from Leinster relieved the pressure.

A kick through from Madigan saw Ringrose break through, however, Parkes demonstrated his pace in catching him and an interception from Aled Thomas followed by a knock-on from the men in blue resulted in the Scarlets rewarded with a scrum on half way as the first half reached its end.

Aled Thomas’ attempt at a long-range penalty from just inside the Leinster half sailed just wide of the posts, however with two tries, the Scarlets ran in for the half time with their 6 point advantage – 9 points to 15.

It was Leinster that had the first real opportunity to score in the second half as they opted for their rolling maul once more. Desperate Scarlets defence kept the home team out initially however, it was only a matter of time before Prop Mike Ross touched down for Leinster’s first try. Madigan’s easy conversion from right in front of the posts gave Leinster the lead for the first time – 16 points to 15 and suddenly it was going to be a huge test for the Scarlets’ confidence and composure.

As the standard of refereeing in the Pro12 continued to be questionable at best, play continued between the two 22’s with neither team making any real impression on the game, however the territory and possession was very much being won by the home team as they extended their lead with another Madigan penalty – 19 points to 15 as the Scarlets brought on their two new signings as replacements.

A huge roar came from the home crowd as Jonny Sexton crossed in the corner, however the try was disallowed due to obstruction in midfield, offering the Scarlets a huge life-line as a try from Leinster with just 8 minutes of the game remaining would have almost certainly meant the end of the unbeaten record. Despite the dominance of Leinster in the second half, there was still only four points separating the teams as the Scarlets finally put some phases together until handling errors let them down.

As the game neared it’s end, the Scarlets were offered one final shot at the win as they played their way into the Leinster 22. Taking advantage of a penalty award the visitors inched ever closer to the try line, however losing the ball forward meant that the Scarlets had to settle for losing bonus point as they ended the second half without scoring a point. Unfortunately despite a strong performance and a huge amount of effort from the Scarlets the team will be disappointed to have lost their 100% record.

The Guinness Pro12 has a break for a couple of weeks now as the Champions Cup begins next week with the Scarlets on the road to Northampton as the play the Saints next Saturday evening.