Scarlets Tame The Lions With Bonus Point Victory

It had been a long wait, but Parc y Scarlets finally opened its doors for the first home fixture in the new United Rugby Championship.

Despite a narrow defeat in Edinburgh last weekend, there was anticipation in the air for both the new Dwayne Peel era and the first encounter with one of the ‘big 4’ South African provincial rugby teams, the Emirates Lions.

Scarlets’ legend and President, Phil Bennett delivered the match ball to half way before a short period of silence to remember those players sadly lost during the last 18 months. This was followed by a period of applause to thank the NHS.

It was a perfect start for the hosts, with early pressure earning them a scrum v within the first minute. They recycled the ball well through the pack before being rewarded for their efforts as charismatic prop, Rob Evans powered over from close range. Sam Costelow slotted over the conversion to give the Scarlets an early 7-0 lead.

The Lions responded well, a strong scrum giving them a solid platform to attack into the Scarlets’ twenty-two. Great hands and running angles saw them threaten the try line, winning a penalty for Scott Williams not rolling away in the tackle. They opted to kick for the corner, but spilled the ball forward.
Despite clearing from the scrum, a further penalty offered Hendrikse the opportunity to open the scoring for the visitors. His huge kick from half-way cut the Scarlets’ lead to 7-3.

A penalty against the Lions’ hooker saw the hosts kick for the corner. Elias opted for the short line out to the front before the ball was spread wide among the backs with Tom Rogers flying over in the corner for the Scarlets’ second try. Costelow booted over an excellent conversion from the touch line to extend the lead to 14-3.

Following a free kick at the scrum, the Scarlets continued their attack deep in the Lions’ twenty-two, finding gaps in the visitors’ defence before frustratingly losing the ball forward.

With the rain beating down in Parc y Scarlets Costelow added a penalty to increase the hosts’ advantage to 17-3, however Hendrikse cancelled that out moments later and doubled the Lions’ tally to 17-6.

A further period of attack from the hosts again tested the Lions’ defence but the ball was ripped and despite attempting to run from their try line they eventually kicked downfield. This offered the Scarlets an opportunity to counter with Rob Evans demonstrating his versatility in charging through the Lions’ defence, but he was unable to release the ball in the tackle.

Kicking for the corner offered the visitors’ an opportunity before half time but possession was lost and despite a second line out in the Scarlets’ twenty-two, their attacking plans were thwarted by poor line outs on both occasions, giving the hosts the chance to capitalise on the Lions’ errors.
Costelow’s accuracy with the boot continued as the game entered the final minute of the first half as he slotted over a fourth successive kick that gave the Scarlets a 20-6 advantage at the interval.

It was a rejuvenated Lions team that ran out for the second half, but the defensive efforts of the hosts proved instrumental as the visitors showed glimpses of what was expected of the new South Africans in the league.

Following a penalty at the scrum, an area of the game that the Lions demonstrated their dominance, they opted to kick for the corner. The ball was recycled well and despite a period of advantage, a huge defensive effort from the Scarlets made them work hard for their eventual try that was scored by Ruben Schoeman who managed to burrow over the whitewash. Hendrikse added the extras to bring the Lions back to within a score – 20-13.

The Scarlets were soon back within two scores as Costelow added to his tally with a penalty that crept over after hitting the posts, 23-13.

With 15 minutes remaining, Ioan Nicholas, who made his 50th appearance, spread the ball wide before the centre partnership of Williams & Davies combined to put Tom Rogers into space. He found Dane Blacker who looked certain to score under the posts but was brought down by Maxwane. The wing was shown a yellow card for the high tackle, but there was certainly a strong case for a penalty try as Blacker looked certain to score. Instead, Costelow maintained his 100% record with the boot, successfully kicking 16 points before being replaced by Dan Jones, 26-13.

A kick downfield again offered the visitors a good attacking platform, but solid defence from the Scarlets saw them retreat, which would have been pleasing for Defence Coach, Hugh Hogan.

Dan Jones opted to run from deep following a penalty. Scott Williams found a gap before offloading to Ioan Nicholas who found Jonathan Davies on his shoulder. The captain could probably have scored himself but opted to draw his defender and slip a pass to Rogers who claimed his brace. What a try! Dan Jones hit the posts with his conversion attempt, 31-13.

A subsequent penalty offered another attacking opportunity for the hosts, with Jones opting to kick into the Lions’ half, but a forward pass denied a possible try for Steff Evans.
A break in midfield from Ioan Nicholas found a gap that brought play to halfway, but Thomson was pinged and the hosts were back in defensive mode.

A scrum around half way offered the Scarlets a last opportunity to gain a bonus point with just a minute on the clock. They did just that with Steff Evans finding both space and pace as he raced over for the hosts’ fourth try. Dan Jones added the conversion with the last kick of the game to give the final score 36-13.

Speaking after the game, Head Coach, Dwayne Peel was pleased with the tries scored but highlighted the need to lower the penalty count before the visit of Munster next week. There was also a word about the support on the night, ‘It was great to have a decent crowd tonight, the boys loved that. We’re thankful for the support and pleased for the boys that they got the result on the night.

MAN OF THE MATCH – Sione Kalamafoni
SUPPORTERS’ MAN OF THE MATCH – Sam Costelow
OFFICIAL ATTENDANCE – 7,824

Scarlets 36-13 Lions Scarlets
(Half Time 20-3)

Tries
Scarlets – Rob Evans, Tom Rogers (2), Steff Evans
Lions – Ruben Schoeman
Conversions
Scarlets – Sam Costelow (2)
Lions – Hendrikse
Penalties
Scarlets – Sam Costelow (4)
Lions – Hendrikse (2)
Yellow Cards
Lions – Sibahle Maxwane

Next Fixture – Scarlets v Munster Sunday, October 10th 2021 @ 2.00pm