STRONG FIRST HALF SEES RACING SECURE WIN

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

With temperatures plummeting and sleet descending on Parc y Scarlets the warming tones of Côr Meibion Llanelli added to the pre-match atmosphere prior to kick off. Following the disappointment of securing only a point in last week’s away match against Northampton in a game that could have been won, a home victory is as always in the Champions’ Cup, essential to ensure any progress into the knock-out stages of the competition.

Prior to kick off a tribute to those killed in the horrific events in Paris last Friday was led by Club Chaplain Rev. Eldon Phillips before a minute’s silence was observed followed by the singing of the French National Anthem.

It was the strong Racing 92 team that made the first impression on the match, breaking through the home team’s defence and into the Scarlets’ 22. However, it was the home team that secured the first penalty of the game, giving them a strong field position from which to attack. Keeping the ball tight, they inched closer to the try line before the ball spilled forward.

Unfortunately it was Racing that managed the first points of the evening with number 8 Chris Masoe winning the foot race to ground the ball in the corner. The unsuccessful conversion gave the visitors a 5 point to 0 advantage.

Try number 2 for Racing came from the class of Joe Rokocoko who strolled in with in ease in the corner. Scrum Half Maxime Machenaud was on target with his conversion on this occasion to increase his team’s lead to 12 points to 0 as the game reached the end of the first quarter and again questions about a regions’ ability to compete with the big money spending French were raised.

The third try was a brace for number 8 Chris Masoe who demonstrated good support from the initial break by powering over. Machenaud’s conversion increased his team’s tally to 19 points, with the home team yet to score.

The Scarlets’ best opportunity of the half came from a distanced penalty from Outside Half Dan Jones. Despite running good angles, the men in red again lost the ball at the breakdown. Scrum Half Gareth Davies broke away from the scum but was short of line, however the Scarlets kept possession for a couple more phases before another handling error saw momentum lost and it looked likely that the half would end with the home team yet to put any points on the board as Racing’s dominance continued.

Wing Marc Andreu secured the try bonus point for Racing as he crossed in the corner to give his team a commanding half time score of 26 points to 0 with Machenaud again adding the extras.

The Scarlets were offered a small glimmer of hope at the start of the second half with Racing down to 14 men following a red card giving the home team a man advantage, however, it took a huge effort and several phases before Aled Thomas finally crossed in the corner to put the home team on the score board. He was unable to add the extras, but slightly narrowed the deficit to 5 points to 26.

Great work from DTH saw the Scarlets faithful not only tackle man mountain Rokocoko, but force him to spill the ball forward offering his team another chance to attack.

The attacking of the Scarlets was only matched in ferocity by the defence of Racing. A yellow card for replacement Prop Ben Tameifuna bringing Racing down to 13, aided the Scarlets’ efforts and they were soon rewarded when replacement Lewis Rawlings squeezed over for the try to the roar of the crowd. Aled Thomas’ successful conversion saw the Scarlets up to 12 points to Racing 92’s 26 from the first half.

Racing Full Back Johan Goosen kicked a penalty to give his team the first points of the second half to further increase the Racing lead to 12 points to 29.

With the visitor’s defence stretched, the Scarlets looked like adding to their try tally, however a dubious holding on decision offered a reprieve for Racing.

Despite a comeback of sorts in the second half, the Scarlets were unable to gain any points from this game, which had severely dented their hopes in this seasons’ Champions Cup.

It’s back to League duties next week with the Scarlets welcoming Italian side Zebre next Sunday, kick off is at 2.30pm.