PLAY-OFF PLACE IN DOUBT FOLLOWING GLASGOW DEFEAT

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

And so we reach the end of another season at Parc y Scarlets for what will probably be the final home game of the season. The Scarlets face a huge challenge in current Pro12 Champions Glasgow, with a loss almost certainly ending any hopes of remaining in the top 4 and participating in this year’s play-off stages.

As is tradition for the final home game of the season, the Scarlets will be saying a huge thank you and bidding a fond farewell to players who will leave for pastures new. This season, this includes, George Earle, Kirby Myhill and Steve Shingler who are joining the Cardiff Blues, Rhodri Jones to the Ospreys and Jordan Williams and Rhodri Williams who will be playing their rugby in Bristol, and finally, Phil John, who will finally be hanging up his Scarlets jersey after 17 years with the club. A great servant and a true Scarlet, he will be missed by the Scarlets faithful.

Despite a tough week leading up to the game with over 20 squad members suffering from the stomach bug, the Scarlets’ strong start saw them open the scoring with just over 2 minutes on the clock thanks to a well-struck penalty from Steve Shingler.

Glasgow, however, opted to kick for the corner rather than take the 3 points which saw Outside Half Finn Russell cleverly chip over the defence to touch down for the game’s first try. Converting his own try gave the visitors a 3 points to 7 lead.

Russell further increased his side’s lead to 3 points to 10 despite foul play at the scrum that was missed by the officials even though the crowd attempted to draw their attention to a player being elbowed on the floor.

Russell again notched up more points for his team as he squeezed in in the corner for his and Glasgow’s second try. Despite the use of the TMO, the decision to award the try was questionable in the least as it seemed he had no control of the ball whilst crossing the line. On this occasion, he was unable to add the tricky touchline conversion but the visitors increased their lead to 3 points to 15.

The Scarlets finally scored their first try of the afternoon with returning Full Back Liam Williams breaking through to cross under the posts. Shingler added the conversion to put the home team back within 5 points 10 points to 15.

However, despite an error at the restart, Glasgow were soon back on the attack and in the Scarlets half. As half time approached, pacey Wing Lee Jones broke easily through the Scarlets defence for their third try. Russell again missed the conversion, however Glasgow ended the half with a commanding 10 points to 20 half time lead.

The visitors started the second half very much in the same fashion as they ended the first, with Scrum Half Henry Pyrgos gratefully accepting Tommy Seymour’s pass for the bonus point try. Russell added the conversion to put his team 10 points to 27 ahead.

The home team rallied and put together some good phases of rugby, but found it difficult to break through the gain line, with Glasgow playing the majority of the game from an off-side position and the Parc y Scarlets’ faithful becoming increasingly frustrated with referee George Clancy, who was booed from the pitch at half time.

Glasgow further turned the screw in the Scarlets’ coffin as Centre Mark Bennett crossed under the posts for their fifth try. Russell added the conversion to almost certainly seal the victory 10 points to 34 with 20 minutes of the game remaining.

Tommy Seymour added a sixth which was converted again by Russell as Glasgow further increased their score to 10 points to 41, leaving the Scarlets yet to score a point in the second half.

As the famous Max Boyce said’ Sometimes the worst part in a game is waiting to find out how many points the other team can score before the final whistle’ and today was one of those games! Lee Jones added another for Glasgow as it seemed they were scoring tries for fun. Despite being asked to remain in their seats after the game to thank the departing Scarlets, on this occasion, even the hardened supporter had seen enough as the stand emptied in its droves before the game ended with a final score of 10 points to 46.