Scarlets Secure First Win In Challenge Cup Against London Irish

The PRO14 took a break this week as the Scarlets began their European Campaign, playing for the first time in the Challenge Cup. Scarlets new signing, Tevita ‘Tex’ Ratuva made his debut following his arrival in Llanelli last week after representing Fiji at the World Cup. In the other changes from last week, Rob Evans returned to the front row with Werner Kruger starting in place of Samson Lee. Also returning to the starting XV were Uzair Cassiem and Keiron Fonotia. On the Wing, Corey Baldwin made his European debut.
Replacement, Ryan Lamb looked set to make his Scarlets debut against his former club whilst the opponents were also familiar faces for Scarlets defence coach, Glenn Delaney.
For once, the weather appeared to be favourable as both teams took to the pitch. It was visitors that had the first opportunity to get the scoreboard up and running but opted to kick for the corner. Despite securing the line-out the Scarlets were able to clear and rode a London Irish storm in their own 22.
It was the hosts that were the first to put points on the board after securing a penalty in the Irish 22. In comparison to last week, the on-field decision was to kick for the posts. Dan Jones continued his kicking success from last week as he slotted over a penalty to give the Scarlets the lead by 3 points to 0.
The lead didn’t last long though as Hooker Motu Matu’u powered over from close range for the opening try of the night. Captain, Stephen Myler added the extras to give the visitors the lead by 3 points to 7.
However, a late challenge saw Bryce Campbell shown a yellow card and whilst the penalty was in a very kickable position, Steff Hughes opted to kick for the corner, a real statement of intent. Despite winning the line-out the Scarlets lost possession and the visitors cleared.
Great follow-up work from Corey Baldwin saw him dive over for the Scarlets’ first try of the evening, and his first in a European game. Dan Jones added the extras to put the hosts back ahead by 10 points to 7.
London Irish drew things level at 10 points all with a well-struck penalty from Meyer and he was given the opportunity to put the visitors back ahead when a scrum decision went against the hosts. His successful kick gave London Irish the lead by 10 points to 13 as half time loomed.
However, the Scarlets were determined to have the final word of the half. After securing the ball from the re-start, they worked through the phases towards the London Irish try-line, but the ball was held up. With the stadium clock in the red, Dan Jones slotted over a simple penalty attempt to even things up at half time by 13 points all.
The second half began with an early penalty attempt from Myler at the start of the second half that would have put the visitors ahead once more, but his kick sailed wide of the posts and the Scarlets were able to counter-attack to over half-way.
A penalty won at the scrum buoyed the hosts as they kicked for the field position and attacked the Irish defence. A beautiful chip over the top from Kieron Fonotia was chased by Steff Hughes who dived over under the posts for the try. Dan Jones slotted over the simple conversion to put the hosts ahead again by 20 points to 13.
Myler added a further penalty to bring London Irish back to within four points – 20 points to 16 and finally, Ryan Lamb made his Scarlets debut against his former side.
A dangerous tackle from Tex Ratuva was deemed only a penalty and the visitors opted to kick for the corner. They set up the drive but lost the ball forward. Securing a penalty at the scrum offered Lamb the opportunity to clear and again the men in scarlet tested the Irish defence.
However, a handling error in midfield saw Irish kick downfield and play was back, deep in the Scarlets’ 22. It was a tense ending to the game, but the Scarlets proved that they are now able to close out a game as they kept the ball tight, in the correct areas of the pitch before gratefully kicking out to secure their first win in Europe and maintain the home record for this season.
Next week, the Challenge Cup continues with a tough away fixture against former Champions Cup winners, Toulon. Kick-off next Friday evening is at 9.00pm.