SCARLETS CLING ON TO GO BACK TO SECOND IN TABLE

Following a disappointing opening two weeks in the Champions’ Cup, it was back to League business for the 8th round Guinness Pro 12 match against Italian opponents Zebre.

With an unusual 2.30 pm kick off on a Sunday along with gale force winds and drizzle, it was hardly a sell-out crowd, but with top of the table Connacht beating second placed Munster last night – a bonus point win would see the Scarlets back up to second in the table.

Despite the conditions, the Scarlets seemed intent on playing their typical passing style of rugby and it took just over 8 minutes before they crossed for their first try with Hadleigh Parkes breaking through the Zebre defence to cross the white wash. Outside Half Aled Thomas added the extras to give the home team a 7 point to 0 lead.

Another try followed soon after with Scrum Half Aled Davies running in unopposed under the posts. Thomas again added the conversion to further increase his side’s lead to 14 point to 0.

With the Zebre line-out struggling, the Scarlets appeared comfortable to run the ball from any area of the field and along with their first half wind advantage were able to use good field position to put the Italians under pressure once more.

Aled Thomas slotted over an easy penalty from straight in front of the posts to keep the score board ticking over, maintain his 100% kicking record and give his side a 17 point to 0 lead.

As conditions grew increasingly tricky, inevitably mistakes crept in, however the home team managed to ensure the game was played in the Zebre half for the most part.

On one of the rare occasions that the visitors managed to venture over the half way line saw them kick for the corner and use a strong rolling maul to power over the Scarlets try line however the grounding was not visible and Zebre was awarded a second bite of the cherry with a scrum v, however great work from Captain John Barclay at the break down saw the home team regain possession to leave the Italians pointless at the half time break.

Zebre again used their rolling maul effectively following a questionable penalty decision that offered them an ideal attacking position. It was from close-range that number 8 Andries Van Schalkwyk managed to cross over for Zebre’s first try and points of the game with 10 minutes of the second half played. The conversion attempt hitting the post saw the Scarlets lead by 17 points to 5.

With several decisions going against the home team, it was Zebre that entered the final quarter pressing for the next score and it was only a try-saving tackle that saw the ball held up that stopped the visitors narrowing the gaps. Unfortunately a yellow card for Scarlets Lock Maselino Paulino saw the Scarlets defend their line with a man short as Zebre continue=86T5EU to control the second half.

Inevitably, with t=85E`e man advantage along with field position, Zebre were able to score their second try with Van Schalkwyk squeezing in for his brace. Replacement Filippo Ferrarini added the simple conversion and Zebre were back in the game as they trailed by just 5 points, 17 points to 12.

Fortunately, after seemingly sleeping for the first 25 minutes of the second half, the Scarlets finally had an opportunity to score their first points of the half, with Steve Shingler’s first job as replacement, to take the kick. However, despite his kick sailing wide of the posts, the Scarlets were finally playing rugby back in the Zebre 22.

Shingler was offered another attempt minutes later, this time in front of the posts, and despite this crucial kick potentially giving the home team a crucial 8 point lead, again Shingler’s kicking let him down by hitting the post.

Steve Shingler finally found his target with just 3 minutes left of the match to give the home team their first points of the second half and to snatch a losing bonus point off Zebre as the game ended with the Scarlets holding on to win 20 points to 12.

Next week the Italian theme continues with the Scarlets travelling to face Treviso at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo, kick off at 3pm.