GLASGOW HOLD ON TO SECURE AWAY VICTORY

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

Despite possibly the worst performance in a Scarlets jersey this season last week, it is hoped that the home leg of this double-header against Glasgow will see the home team learn from the mistakes to put in a far better performance despite any hopes of progressing further in this season’s campaign very much over.

As the rain poured down on Parc y Scarlets, a handling error right from kick off saw a Glasgow scrum in the Scarlets’ 22 and it took less than 5 minutes for the visitors to get on the score board with Finn Russell slotting over an easy penalty attempt to give Glasgow a 3 point to 0 advantage.

The Scarlets came close to scoring the first try of the game however they were tackled without the ball just short of the line, which seemed to go unnoticed by French referee Pascal Gauzere. Aled Thomas missed a penalty attempt to bring the scores even, however the Scarlets continued attacking the Glasgow defence, keeping play in their opponent’s half.

A very dubious yellow card decision against Scarlets’ Outside Half Aled Thomas left the crowd in utter disbelief, however worse was to come as Russell, aided by the post, doubled his team’s score to 6 points to 0 as he kicked another penalty.

The crowd were further infuriated as decision after decision went against the Scarlets and suddenly Glasgow were back in Scarlets territory once more with another refereeing error and another Glasgow penalty attempt resulting in a thunderous booing ringing through the stadium. It is possibly poetic justice that on this occasion Russell was way off target with his kick.

With the half drawing to a close and their kicker still off the pitch, the Scarlets opted to end the half by kicking for the corner in the hopes of securing some points before the end of the half, but a messy line-out saw Glasgow back in control and the half ended with the visitors in the lead by just 6 points.

Little changed in the second half with regards to the referee and the frustration of the Scarlets was obvious as they attempted to play rugby but were constantly subject to the sharp shrill of the whistle.

Russell added a third penalty shortly after the start of the second half to give Glasgow a 9 point to 0 lead and despite a quiet game, man mountain Naiyaravoro stormed his way down the wing but was brought down short of the 22.

The home team’s best chance of a try came shortly after turning the ball over, Morgan Allen drove through the defence with the ball held up just short of the white wash.

The forwards dug deep and a wave of attack battered at the Glasgow defence however the ball was lost. The sinbinning of Glasgow Wing, former Scarlet Sean Lamont and subsequent penalty finally saw the Scarlets on the score sheet with Aled Thomas slotting over a penalty to give a score line of 3 points to 9, though it was disappointing that they came away without scoring the try.

A dangerous high tackle on Aled Thomas saw Glasgow down to 13 men, though Simone Favaro was extremely fortunate that the colour of the card was yellow and not red.

With a 2 man advantage, the Scarlets were on the attack and soon back in the Glasgow 22, however the visitors’ defence held firm.

A second penalty from Thomas put the home team within 3 points – 6 points to 9, though he was off target with his next attempt that would have brought the scores level.

Despite their efforts, and in contrast to last week where Glasgow earned themselves a bonus point, neither team managed to score a try and the game ended with the Scarlets still searching for their first win in the Champions’ Cup as their Scottish visitors secured an important away victory – 6 points to 9.

Next week is the biggie…the game that ignites the fire in every supporter as the Scarlets welcome their arch enemies from over Loughor Bridge, the Ospreys, for the traditional Boxing Day fixture. Kick-off is at 2.05pm.