Eight-Try Scarlets See Off Zebre

Following last week’s heroic efforts in Scotland, the Scarlets returned home to Parc y Scarlets for the visit of Zebre.
Head Coach, Brad Mooar made three changes from last week, with Hooker, Taylor Davies got his first PRO14 start, along with Springbok Juandre Kruger who recently signed a short-term deal and Ryan Conbeer returned on the Wing.
Speaking ahead of the game, Mooar said, ‘Zebre are a dangerous side who like to attack and bring physicality in the close quarters. They have plenty to play for.’ He continued, ‘so, for us, this week has been about getting our mindset and preparation spot on to make sure we perform to a level that we expect of ourselves and our fans expect of us as well.’
It was a dream start for the Scarlets who attacked from the start, they recycled the ball well before a break from Steff Evans on halfway. He off-loaded to Kieran Hardy who sprinted in under the posts before 2 minutes had been played. Dan Jones slotted over the simple conversion to give the hosts an early 7 points to 0 lead.
They continued their attack from the re-start with Dan Jones putting in a cheeky cross-field kick for Steff Evans to chase. He chipped ahead but despite winning the foot race, he was unable to dab down and the Scarlets were awarded a scrum V. Securing a penalty off the scrum, they opted to kick for the corner and there was nothing that the Zebre defence could do to halt the Scarlets’ driving maul as it powered over the line with Josh Macleod claiming the try. Dan Jones’ attempt to add the extras was just wide as the Scarlets extended their lead to 12 points to 0.
However, Zebre hit back, but were denied a chance to attack off the line-out as the ball was stolen by the hosts and they were back on the hunt for try number three.
Despite superb hands from McNicholl, the Zebre defence held firm. It was the visitors that secured the next points, with Outside Half, Michaelangelo Biondelli slotting over a simple attempt from right in front of the posts to narrow the Scarlets’ lead to 12 points to 3.
But, the hosts hit back from the re-start with Uzair Cassiem carrying the ball forward, before Steff Hughes put in a kick for the chasing Ryan Conbeer who dived over in the corner. Dan Jones added the extras to extend the Scarlets’ lead to 19 points to 3.
The try-fest continued with Zebre squeezing over in the corner with Marco Manfredi claiming the score. Biondelli added the extras to give a score-line of 19 points to 10.
With less than half an hour on the clock, the Scarlets again attacked from the re-start and a break from Ryan Conbeer out wide offered Kieran Hardy an easy second try as the hosts secured the bonus point. Dan Jones added the extras to to extend the Scarlets’ lead to 26 points to 10.
Another break in mid-field from Hardy put the Scarlets back in the Zebre 22, but they lost the ball forward and Zebre were awarded a defensive scrum and the opportunity to get the ball off the park for the end of the half.
The Scarlets were offered an early attacking opportunity at the start of the second half as Zebre were penalised for a high tackle on Dan Jones. They kicked for the corner, before effectively driving off the line-out for Taylor Davies to touch down. Dan Jones added the extras to further extend the hosts’ lead to 33 points to 10 before leaving the pitch. He was replaced by Angus O’Brien.
With play deep in the Zebre 22, the Scarlets recycled the ball well, working through the phases before another clever kick from Steff Hughes was gathered by Johnny McNicholl who strolled over under the posts. O’Brien, slotted over the simple conversion to bring the score-line to 40 points to 0.
Lewis Rawlins was shown a yellow card for the Scarlets which offfered Zebre an opportunity to attack in the Scarlets’ half, and thanks to Zebre’s Eduardo Bello who obviously decided that referee, Rasta Rasivhenge needed some guidance, the visitors were awarded a penalty. They kicked for the corner. Despite winning the line-out and setting up an attack, foul play on Taylor Davies enabled the Scarlets to clear their lines and set up an attack, however play remained around the halfway area.
A break in mid-field saw the ball hoofed downfield with Dan Davis the man chasing. He controlled it well, but was unable to gather the ball cleanly to dab down. However, the hosts were offered a second chance from the scrum with Joshua Helps scoring his first try for the Scarlets. O’Brien again slotted over the conversion to further extend the Scarlets’ lead to 47 points to 10.
With the clock in the red, a clever cross-field kick is gathered by Full Back, Johnny McNicholl who fell over the line for a try right at the death. Angus O’Brien again added the conversion to give a final score of 54 points to 10.
The Scarlets’ next PRO14 match is against Edinburgh on October 26th, kick-off is at 7.35pm.