Super Scarlets Cling On For Important European Win

With the 10-point target met during the Autumn Internationals, the Pro14 takes a break for the next two weeks as attentions are turned to this season’s Champions Cup back to back matches.
In a season where the Scarlets have targeted success in European Rugby, the opening losses were disappointing, but bonus point wins in both the matches against Benetton coupled with Bath and Toulon winning their home fixtures without a bonus point could see the final pool rounds being fought out between three teams on 12 points.
It was a strong start for the Scarlets as the home side took just two minutes to get on the score sheet. Securing the line-out in the Benetton 22, Scrum Half, Gareth Davies sliced through the Italian defence to cross the whitewash. Leigh Halfpenny added the simple conversion to give the Scarlets a 7 point to 0 lead.
Davies added another try less than four minutes later as Johnny McNicholl broke through the defence before offloading with Davies crossing under the posts. Again Halfpenny added the extras and with less than 7 minutes played, the home team were leading by 14 points to 0.
Benetton took full advantage of their time deep in the Scarlets’ 22, keeping the ball among the forwards before crossing for their first try of the afternoon, with number 8, Robert Barbieri claiming the score. Tommaso Allan added the conversion to bring the Italians back within a converted try – 7 points to 14.
Suddenly, despite the start to the game, the visitors were in control and looked likely to cross for their second before an interception from Paul Asquith relieved the pressure with a toe in touch from Rhys Patchell unfortunately seeing the move come to an end.
Superb hands from the boys in red as they looked for their third try, with Ken Owens close to crossing on his return from International duty, however, a dangerous tip tackle from Flanker Fransesco Minto stopped play. Following discussions with the TMO, referee Mathieu Raynal deemed the tackle sufficiently dangerous to warrant a red card, despite the fact that Minto was on his knees when he made the tackle. This resulted in the visitors being reduced to 14 men for over an hour of the game.
Another penalty award for the Scarlets saw the forwards take control from the line-out with Tadhg Beirne being driven over in the corner. Halfpenny maintained his 100% kicking record with a superb effort from the touchline to give the home side a commanding 21 points to 7 lead.
The bonus point try could have been secured with just half an hour played, but a rare error of judgement from Hadleigh Parkes saw the new Welsh International decide against backing himself to bag the try, and his pass to Halfpenny was intercepted.
With ball in hand, the Italians continued to look dangerous as a break midfield saw Full Back Jayden Hayward dive over in the corner. Allan added the tricky conversion to keep his team in the game with Benetton trailing by 21 points to 14.
Another break from Asquith right at the end of the first half almost secured the bonus point for the Scarlets, but Benetton’s defence just managed to dab the ball down in time.
Benetton began the second half on the attack, however the defensive efforts of the Scarlets during those opening minutes would have been very pleasing for the coaches as the forwards demolished the Benetton scrum and it was the home team that could almost be accused of trying to hard as both Hadleigh Parkes and Steff Evans came close to scoring the all-important fourth try.
Despite being down 14 men , the Italians demonstrated their character as they continued to attack before Wing Angelo Esposito squeezed over in the corner for their third try of the afternoon. Allan added the conversion and suddenly the game was not only all square at 21 points all, but the visitors looked the more likely to score the bonus point try.
Things continued to go badly for the Scarlets as James Davies was shown a yellow card for an infringement at the breakdown, as decision after decision went against the home team, before Leigh Halfpenny left the field with an injury. In comparison, Benetton just seemed to improve as the game went on, enjoying nearly three quarters of the possession as the Scarlets struggled to leave their own 22.
With 10 minutes remaining,Benetton finally claimed their bonus point try with Federico Ruzza powering over from close range. Tommaso Allan added the conversion to turn around a 14 point deficit to take the lead for the first time – 21 points to 28.
Finally, with just under 5 minutes remaining, a break from Aled Davies sees the Scarlets finally looking like scoring a try, but stray hand comes intervenes with Johnny McNicholl looking almost certain to score the try. Despite the calls for a penalty try, the home team were awarded the scrum. Fortunately, Steff Evans was on hand to cross for try number 4 to secure at least a point for the Scarlets.
Rhys Patchell added the conversion to bring the game level once more to give a tense ending to the game – 28 points all.
The amazing start to the game, was matched by an amazing finish! Steff Evans was on hand once more as he put in a grubber kick from inside his own 22m before kicking through for Paul Asquith to gather before galloping over for last gasp try to win the game for the Scarlets. Rhys Patchell hit the post with the conversion, however kicking the ball dead from the re-start secured an important 5 point victory for the Scarlets by 33 points to 28.
Next week the Scarlets travel to Treviso for the all-important away leg – another must win game if the European dream is to continue.