DOMINANT RACING CRUSH SCARLETS TO CRUISE TO QUARTERS

by Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

Despite no longer being in contention in this year’s Champions’ Cup tournament, the Scarlets traveled to Paris for the away leg against Racing 92 as the only team yet to pick up a win! With nothing to lose, the Scarlets fielded a reasonably strong team, despite the injury list and it would be nice to see some good rugby being played, particulary with Dan Carter being selected in the Centre against the Scarlets’ own New Zealand Centre partnership.

A strong start from the home side saw Dan Carter finding the space behind the Scarlets’ defensive line which could have seen his side take an early lead, however the ball spilling forward offered the Scarlets the opportunity to clear the line.

The intent to score tries was evident from the home team which resulted in the Scarlets spending the majority of the opening minutes of the half defending. It took less than 10 minutes for Dan Carter to open the scoring with a well-struck penalty to give him team a 3 point to 0 lead.

Superb hands from the Racing backs saw Argentinian Wing Juan Imhoff score the opening try. Carter’s conversion increased the Racing lead to 10 points to 0.

Unfortunately, things got worse for the Scarlets with Maselino Paulino yellow-carded for a swinging arm high tackle which gave the home team the opportunity to take full advantage of their extra man, not that they needed it, as they continued on their quest for a try bonus point to ensure a home tie in the Quarter Final.

A tip tackle from DTH Van De Merwe saw him joining Paulino in the bin for a few minutes as the Scarlets were down to 13 men. Despite defending the Racing rolling maul well, the visitors were unable to do anything to stop former Blues player Casey Laulala from crossing for Racing’s second try as it seemed that the game was beginning to turn into one where you begin to wander just how many points the opposition will manage to notch up. Carter added the conversion to further increase the lead to 17 points to 0, before being called on once more a matter of seconds later to convert Number 8 Antonie Claassen’s third try. A trickier touch-line effort from Carter added the extras to give Racing 92 a 24 point to 0 lead even before half an hour had been played and the probability that the ‘job’ would be done before half time.

It was credit to the Scarlets that they when they finally had the ball that they did manage to string together a few phases of play and even found themselves in the Racing 22. However, Wing Louis Dupichot’s 70 yard run saw him seal the Quarter Final fate with just over half an hour played, leaving the Scarlets trailing by 31 points to 0.

With half time looming, the nightmare continued for Pivac’s men as Casey Laulala crossed for try number 5, his second try, as it became obvious that the continual defending had taken its toll on the Scarlets, along with the class and at one time two-man advantage of Racing. Carter, as expected, added the conversion to give his side a commanding 38 point to 0 lead at half time, reflecting their total domination.

The Scarlets, however, demonstrated their character and determination right at the start of the second half which left the Racing defense watching as DTH gratefully accepted Paulino’s pass to cross for the Scarlets’ first try. Steve Shingler added the conversion to bring the score line to 38 points 7.

Mike Phillips’ yellow card gave the Scarlets a man advantage as they continued with their attack deep in the Racing 22. Strong scrummaging from the men in Scarlet saw Gareth Davies squeeze his way over for the Scarlets’ second try in under 10 minutes. Shingler again added the conversion to narrow the deficit to 38 points to 14.

A strong rolling maul from Racing stopped the Scarlets scoring machine in its tracks as referee Matt Carley decided that the dominance would have resulted in a try being scored and awarded a penalty try, which further increased the Racing score to 45 points to 14.

Wing Imhoff crossed for his second and Racing’s seventh try, quashing any hopes of a Scarlets come-back as Racing further increased their score to 52 points to 14.

However, yet again, the Scarlets showed their strength of character as they went looking for a third try of their own, but the Racing defense stood firm and despite a far better performance from the Scarlets in the second half, it was Racing who scored the next try with Replacement Johan Goosen squeezing over in the corner. With Dan Carter off the pitch, Goosen attempted to convert his own try, but his attempt was wide of the posts, though an impressive score line of 57 points to 14 certainly sent out a message to their opponents for the knock out stages.

A hat trick from Casey Laulala took Racing over the 60-point mark, with Goosen adding the conversion on this occasion as a dominant Racing 92 marched towards the Quarter Final with a 64 point to 14 drubbing of the Welsh region.

Next Saturday, the Scarlets welcome George North home as Northampton end their Champions Cup campaign in Parc y Scarlets, kick-off is at 5.30pm.