Scarlets Secure Bonus Point Win Against Spirited Kings

For only the second time this season, the Scarlets actually had a home game in dry conditions. Werner Kruger took over the captaincy from Steff Hughes who suffered a shoulder injury in the fixture against Edinburgh. Other changes from that fixture included Corey Baldwin and Paul Asquith who replaced Hughes in the centre.
Steve Cummins replaced Sam Lousi as a late change due to injury with Ed Kennedy replacing Aaron Shingler who had to pull out due to illness. On the bench, loan-signing, Ifan Phillips, son of infamous Neath Hooker, Kevin Phillips was named whilst Tom Rogers is set to make his first PRO14 appearance of the season.
Looking ahead to the fixture, Scarlets forwards coach, Ioan Cunningham said, “We have done a lot of work looking at them and they are a tough side, they bring a lot of physicality, but they also have a lot of variation in their play. Their coaches are smart with different plots and if you give them a sniff, they will take advantage. They have athletes who can cause damage if you give them time and space.”
It was a strong start for the Scarlets as it appeared that Steff Evans has squeezed in in the corner for the first try within the first 5 minutes, however the TMO confirmed that he had been beaten by the touchline just before grounding the ball.
The Kings were offered a great opportunity to get the first score following an attacking scrum just on the 22 after a forward pass, but the hosts cleared and managed to steal the ball to launch an attack.
A long-range penalty from Full Back, Courtney Winnaar gave the visitors an early lead by 3 points to 0.
The Scarlets notched up the phases from a great attacking position before huge second rower, Tex Ratuva crossed for his first try for the region. Dan Jones added the extras to put the home team in the lead for the first time by 7 points to 3.
The visitors continued to press for their first try of the evening, but great defence saw them bundled into touch, but a further wave of attack saw the Kings inches from the whitewash before the TMO confirmed that the ball had been lost forward and the hosts were awarded a defensive scrum.
The Scarlets attempted to run the ball from their own try-line, but a forward pass offered the Kings a great opportunity to score from a scrum 5 metres out. A quick pass to Howard Minisi and the Centre claimed the score. Demetri Catrakillis slotted over the simple conversion to put the Kings back ahead by 7 points to 10.
A steal from none other than Prop, Phil Price saw the Scarlets back in possession as he drove forward into the 22. The ball was recycled well with Ed Kennedy diving over for the try in the corner. Dan Jones was just wide with his effort to add the extras…Scarlets 12-10.
With the stadium clock already in the red, the Scarlets secured a penalty and turned down the opportunity for a simple 3 points but instead opted to kick for the corner. The ball was lost forward, and the hosts were unable to secure an important score right on half time.
It was the Kings who secured the fist score of the second half with Christopher Hollis strolling over under the posts for the try. Catrakilis added the simple conversion to put the Kings back in the lead once more by 12 points to 17.
But the Scarlets hit right back with a well-worked try with replacement, Ryan Conbeer working hard to get over the line. Dan Jones added the extras to put the Scarlets back ahead by 19 points to 17.
The hosts finally secured a bonus point and got the biggest cheer of the evening as fans’ favourite, Uzair Cassiem squeezed over from close range. Dan Jones slotted over the simple conversion attempt from right in front of the posts to add the extras as the Scarlets increased their lead to 26 points to 17.
The Scarlets further extended their lead as replacement back rower, Dan Davis dived over in the corner. Dan Jones was unable to add the extras as the Scarlets’ lead increased to 31 points to 17. Minutes later, replacement, Tom Rogers crossed in the same corner, and on this occasion, Jones’ conversion attempt hit the post as the Scarlets secured a 19-point cushion with just 5 minutes of the game remaining…36 points to 17.
As the clock ticked towards the end of the game, the Kings kicked for the corner from penalty, but were able to secure possession and the game ended with the Scarlets securing victory by 36 points to 17.
The Scarlets next fixture is next Saturday, February 29th when they travel to Ireland to face Munster, kick-off is at 5pm.