Scarlets Hang On To Secure Victory in Scotstoun

The Scarlets travelled to Scotstoun for the second round of this season’s Pro14 where they faced a wounded Glasgow team who were looking to kick-start their season following a shock defeat out in South Africa against the Cheetahs.
Both teams had been hit heavily by International call-ups with 12 missing for the hosts whilst the Scarlets have 15 on duty in the World Cup. This gave new-signing, Tom James the opportunity for his PRO14 debut. He replaced Ryan Conbeer in the only change from the match-day twenty-three that beat Connacht in the opening round.
Steff Hughes again lead the side with his Centre partner, Paul Asquith making his 50th appearance in a Scarlets shirt.
Speaking mid-week, Dai Flanagan, the Scarlets’ backs coach confirmed that it was a great win against Connacht but the aim was to keep improving each week. “Glasgow are a proud side who work hard for each other, just like us,” he said. “And will be at home on a track they are used to. I am sure they will want to entertain, I am sure they will be physical and it is up to us to match that.”
It took a matter of seconds for the first scrum of the game with the hosts losing the ball in the Scarlets’ 22 from the kick-off. Despite a clearing kick from Dan Jones he was unable to find touch, offering the Warriors a chance to attack.
However, having initially been turned over, they managed to re-claim before an aerial battle saw the men in black deep in the Scarlets’ 22, but despite the field position, the visitors had the put-in at the scrum.
A huge scrum from the hosts saw them win it against the head and with the Scarlets pinged for off-side, Brandon Thomson slotted over a simple penalty from right in front of the posts to give the Warriors an early 3 points to 0 lead.
The Scarlets built up the phases that brought play up to the half-way line, but it was rather lateral, however, a penalty saw the men in red secure an attacking line-out just inside the Glasgow 22.
With Glasgow stealing the ball, play was soon back in the Scarlets half but handling errors from both sides saw the game become rather scrappy before a Tom James burst down the touch-line, followed by a chip through saw the visitors back in the Glasgow 22.
Despite a break from Glasgow the Scarlets’ defence held firm and the hosts were pinged for holding on. Again, they opted to kick for the corner, but on this occasion secured possession and they inched closer to the whitewash. Tom James came close to scoring his debut Scarlets’ try, but he was unable to gather the ball to stride in.
Fortunately, referee Clancy was playing advantage and Outside-Half, Dan Jones was able to add a penalty to equalise the scores at 3 points all.
The Scarlets were forced to make an early substitution with Dan Davis replacing Tom Phillips as the visitors were able use the scrum platform to kick back into the Warriors’ half. With the hosts pinged after a Dan Jones jackal, he was offered the chance to put the Scarlets ahead for the first time, however, he was off-target with the distance kick from in front of the posts.
As the half neared it’s close, the Scarlets again launched an attack, but Steff Evans was bundled into touch. After securing the line-out, the hosts were back in the Scarlets half, but were pinged for not releasing and Dan Jones stepped up for another chance to put the visitors in the lead.
He struck it beautifully and was on target to give the Scarlets’ a lead of 3 points to 6.
However, it was Glasgow that had the last word of the half as they opted to kick for the corner following a penalty award. Despite claiming possession, they lost the ball over the try-line but Thomson was able to add his second penalty right on the stroke of half time to give a score of 6 points all at the break.
It was a strong start to the second half for the hosts, but the Scarlets’ defence held firm before Josh Macleod was penalised and Thomson added his third penalty to edge the Warriors ahead once more by 9 points to 6.
However, it was the visitors that got the first try of the evening with Tom James claiming the ball, before off-loading to Paul Asquith who found Kieran Hardy on his inside. The Scrum-Half raced over the whitewash for the first try. Dan Jones added the extras to put the visitors ahead by 9 points to 13.
As the Scarlets’ confidence grew, Jonny McNicholl intercepted, before chipping ahead for Steff Hughes to gather. He comes close before Paul Asquith celebrated his half century of games as he dived under the posts for the try. Replacement, Angus O’Brien added the conversion as the Scarlets extended their lead to 9 points to 20.
A matter of minutes later, and a chip and chase from Steff Evans saw the Wing cross for his second try in two weeks. Despite the on-field decision that he hadn’t grounded the ball, the TMO confirmed the score. O’Brien was wide with his conversion attempt as the visitors’ lead increased to 9 points to 25.
The Warriors were soon offered the opportunity to fight back with an attacking scrum deep in the Scarlets’ 22. Keeping the ball tight, they were made to work hard for every inch as the men in red put in wave after wave of tackles. Finally, the ball went wide and Thomson strolled over for Glasgow’s first try. He added the extras to narrow the Scarlets’ lead to 16 points to 25.
O’Brien missed the opportunity to put the visitors further ahead as his penalty attempt, against the wind, hit the posts.
A turnover from Josh Macleod secured a penalty for the men in red and O’Bien’s touch-finder offered the Scarlets the chance to drive off the line-out. They made ground into the Warrior’s 22 but the visitors were pinged and the hosts kicked to half-way.
For once the Scarlets’ defence was left in disarray as Jones got his pass away for Stafford MacDowell to dive over for the try. Thomson was unable to add the conversion but with a matter of minutes remaining, the hosts were back to within a score – 21 points to 25.
With just a minute remaining on the clock, the Warriors were awarded a penalty and opted to kick for the corner. Securing the ball, they drove towards the whitewash and again the Scarlets were penalised. To make matters worse, Macleod was shown a yellow card for collapsing the maul, just as the clock turned red, and it appeared that Glasgow would sneak a last-gasp victory.
As the hosts drove towards the try-line, the defending from the visitors can only be described as heroic as the Scarlet wall finally forced the error and the ball was quickly kicked off the park as the Brad Mooar’s men secured their second league victory, winning by 21 points to 25.
Next week, the action returns to Parc y Scarlets as the Scarlets welcome Zebre for Round 3 of the PRO14, kick-off is at 3pm.