Scarlets delivered a performance full of adventure, but they were ultimately overpowered by a clinical Connacht side, who claimed a 31-14 bonus-point win at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway.
The West Walians crafted two outstanding second-half tries from Joe Roberts and Ioan Jones to haul themselves back into the contest after trailing 19-0 early in the second half.
But it was Connacht who proved too strong, with all five tries coming through short-range efforts from their forwards.
To their credit, Scarlets looked to give the ball width and keep it in hand throughout, but were unable to find the killer touch at key moments.
This round two clash had been postponed from October because of travel disruption caused by Storm Amy. However, this time around conditions were almost serene for Galway and far more favourable to open rugby at Connacht’s impressive new surroundings.
With ball sides looking to give the ball oxygen, it was Connacht who struck first – the outstanding Sean Jansen hitting a short line for the opening try on 15 minutes. Replacement Seán Naughton converted.
Connacht thought they had a second through centre John Devine, but the officials spotted a clear obstruction by Devine himself in the build-up and the score was chalked off.
Scarlets had plenty of ball and opportunities in Connacht territory in the opening half, but were unable to make it count.
Hooker Marnus van der Merwe was held up over the line from a quick tap penalty, while centres Roberts and Johnny Williams both made breaks, only for the attacks to be ended by a loose ball.
Instead, it was the home side who had the final say of the half through Jansen, who showed good strength again to drive over for his second five minutes before the break.
At the start of the second half Connacht pushed further ahead when prop Jack Aungier ploughed over at the posts. Naughton converted to make it 19-0
With the game seemingly moving out of sight, Scarlets produced a sparking response.
On 49 minutes, Macs Page took the ball inside his own 22, gathered his own chip over the top then fed Roberts, who dummied and showed pace and power to cross wide out for his third try in two games. Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, who had another assured performance in the No.10 jersey, converted superbly from the touchline.
Roberts then turned provider with sublime no-look offload which found Ioan Jones for his first Scarlets try. The full-back, on his first URC start, still had plenty to do, but showed great feet to cut inside and beat the flailing defenders for the line. Leggatt-Jones’s conversion made it 19-14 with all to play for in the final quarter.
That final quarter, though, belonged to the men in green.
Replacement Fiachna Barrett drove over after the Scarlets defence had been sliced open for the bonus-point score, then after Connacht skipper Paul Boyle was held up over the line, substitute hooker Eoin de Buitlear made his way over from short range after relentless Connacht pressure.
A youthful Scarlets threw everything into the final exchanges – Jac Davies had a late score ruled out for a forward pass – but they were unable to make any further dent on the scoreboard to leave the West of Ireland empty handed.
Connacht – tries: S. Jansen (2), J. Aungier, F. Barrett, E. de Buitlear. Cons: S. Naughton (3).
Scarlets – tries: J. Roberts, I. Jones. Cons: C. Leggatt-Jones (2)
Ioan Jones (repl Tomi Lewis 65); Jac Davies, Joe Roberts (repl Gabe McDonald 63), Johnny Williams, Macs Page; Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, Gareth Davies (repl Archie Hughes 48); Kemsley Mathias (repl Sam O’Connor 60; repl Mathias 68), Marnus van der Merwe (repl Harry Thomas 65), Henry Thomas (repl Harri O’Connor 48), Sam Lousi (repl Dan Davies 65), Jake Ball (repl Jac Price 48), Max Douglas, Jarrod Taylor, Fletcher Anderson (capt).
Attendance: 5,649