Super-Cool Dan Secures Benetton Victory With Last Kick

With the Challenge Cup starting next weekend, the Scarlets were hoping to end this block of League fixtures with a home victory against a fully-loaded Benetton team.
Blade Thomson made a welcome return following his return from Japan with Scotland in place of Uzair Cassiem who was on the bench. The other changes from the team that beat the Cheetahs last week was Taylor Davies starting at Hooker, Corey Baldwin replaced Ryan Conbeer on the Wing and Paul Asquith returned to the Centre after recovering from a facial injury.
It was a big night for Prop, Werner Kruger who made his 100th appearance and had the honour of leading out the team along with his two sons.
It was an exciting start for the hosts with Corey Baldwin winning the foot race to hoof the ball towards the whitewash. A great follow-up and a lucky bounce and Steff Evans somehow got fingertips to dab down for the opening try. Dan Jones slotted over the extras to give the Scarlets the lead by 7 points to 0.
Benetton hit back to narrow the Scarlets’ lead with a penalty from Captian, Tommaso Allan who was on target with his kick from in front of the posts to bring the score-line to 7 points to 3.
A penalty for not releasing offered the visitors a great attacking position. They secured the line-out and drove towards the Scarlets’ 22, but were driven backwards by the Scarlets’ defensive wall. However, the hosts were pinged for off-side and Allan was able to add a second penalty to bring the Italians back to within a point – 7 points to 6.
Great hands from Steff Evans and Dan Jones who off-loaded to Josh Macleod almost saw the Scarlets score a second try but he was bundled into touch just before reaching the try-line.
However, it was Benetton that got the next score with Angelo Esposito finding acres of space out wide to race over in the corner to put the visitors in the lead for the first time. Allan’s kick hit the posts, but the Italian’s were ahead by 10 points to 11.
A penalty at the scrum offered Allan the opportunity to extend their lead as the half neared it’s end, with a long-range effort. His kick was on-target to put Benetton ahead by 10 points to 14.
With the stadiujm clock on the red, Dan Jones put in a long-distance kick for the corner. Despite the line-out not quite going to plan, the hosts secured possession and drove towards the line, but the TMO deemed no-try and the Scarlets opted for the scrum. Unfortunately, they lost control and Benetton were able to clear their lines. The score remained at 10 points to 14 at the break.
It was a scrappy start to the second half from both teams but it was the Scarlets that enjoyed the majority of the territory and possession. A succession of penalties allowed Dan Jones to kick towards the 22 and eventually for the corner. Despite securing the line-out, Benetton were able to halt the rolling maul, however the Scarlets worked through the phases and were eventually rewarded with replacement, Rob Evans driving over from close range. Dan Jones slotted over the conversion from in front of the posts as the Scarlets re-gained the lead by 17 points to 14.
The intent in the Scarlets was evident as they went on the hunt for more tries and a possible bonus point. A further penalty in the red-zone saw the Scarlets again opting to kick for the corner rather than taking the three points. They secured the line-out but lost the ball forward as they drove towards the line and a subsequent penalty at the scrum offered the Italians the chance to clear.
A beautiful catch from Steff Evans under the high-ball saw the hosts launch another attack, but Benetton turned the ball over in the ruck and cleared. The Scarlets took the ball quickly and again tested the Benetton defence.
The corner kick was the chosen option once more rather than take the simple 3 points, but Benetton’s defence held firm and very much kept them in the game, particulary in the second half where they spent the majority of the time in their own 22.
With just a few minutes remaining on the clock, the visitors finally found themselves in unfamiliar territory – the Scarlets’ half, where they secured a penalty. Tomasso Allan was again on target, under pressure, with his attempt and it looked likely that they had drawn the fixture by 17 points all.
However, the hosts continued playing right until the final whistle and Parc y Scarlets took a communal sigh of relief when referee, Andrew Brace pinged Benetton, offering the Scarlets a last-gasp attempt to snatch victory.
Up stepped Mr Cool, Dan Jones, who held the hope of the Scarlets faithful with the last kick of the game. Thankfully, he kept his nerve and the ball sailed between the posts to secure the victory for the Scarlets by 20 points to 17.
With a total of 15 players away at the World Cup, Head Coach, Brad Mooar will be very pleased to be going in to the Challenge Cup next week with five wins out of six.
Next Saturday, London Irish will be the visitors to Parc y Scarlets with the start of this season’s European campaign. Kick-off is at 8.00pm.