A 79th minute long-range Sam Costelow penalty secured a stirring second-half comeback win to get the Scarlets up and running in this season’s BKT United Rugby Championship.
The Wales international fly-half held his nerve from 40 metres out in an edge-of-your-seat finale which saw the Scarlets claim maximum points against an international-stacked Benetton side.
With the Italians leading 21-7 at the break, it looked like being a happy homecoming for Wayne Pivac and Rhys Patchell, now part of the coaching team in Treviso.
But inspired by player of the match Blair Murray, Scarlets turned the game on its head after the break, scoring some rousing tries through a Murray interception and a double for Ellis Mee.
No. 8 Fletcher Anderson came off the bench at half-time to make his mark; Gareth Davies turned the clock back to also make an impact on proceedings from scrum-half, while Macs Page continued his eye-catching start to the campaign with some magical running, including a brilliant assist for Mee’s first try.
Coming into the match on the back of two close Welsh derby defeats, the Scarlets had started brightly; Mee winning the tip back from the kick-off which allowed the home side to set up camp in the Benetton 22.
Eventually, the forwards laid siege to the line and it was Sam Lousi who showed his strength to touch down from close range. Costelow landed the conversion and the Scarlets were on the move.
However, the Italians were level soon after, the Scarlets conceding a try through the driving line-out with hooker Suia Maile benefiting. Jacob Umaga added the extras.
Scarlets had plenty of possession and territory in the opening exchanges with Eddie James and Murray looking threatening,
However, it was Benetton who took a grip on proceedings in the second quarter through a fine solo score effort from left wing Onisi Ratave and a close-range effort from Azzurri captain Michele Lamaro.
Trailing 21-7 at the break, Scarlets brought on Davies and Anderson and the Kiwi No. 8 was immediately involved with a powerful drive over the gainline.
But it was that man Murray who turned the game on 51 minutes with a crucial try which saw him intercept a Benetton attack on his own 22, then race down the touchline, showing blistering pace to outstrip the cover and cross at the posts. Costelow’s conversion made it 21-14.
It got better quickly as the lively Page produced a moment of magic of his own, chipping through, gathering then having the vision to free Mee for a run and acrobatic dive to the corner.
Mee was celebrating a second and Scarlets’ fourth on 66 minutes. Murray and Page produced the dazzling footwork, the ball was recyled back to Costelow who found Mee out wide with a pinpoint cross kick.
There was still a lot for the winger to do, but he stood up his opposite number Ratave brilliantly before racing to the line.
That though, was nowhere near the end of the drama.
Italian international wing Louis Lynagh restored Benetton’s lead in the 73rd minute by winning the chase to a kick through after Scarlets had been turned over on halfway.
Then came Costelow’s moment in the spotlight, nailing the three-pointer to bring Parc y Scarlets to its feet and claim the narrowest of victories.
The Scarlets are back at the Parc next Saturday when they take on Newcastle Red Bulls in the opening round of the EPCR Challenge Cup.
Scarlets – try: S. Louis, B. Murray, E. Mee (2) con: S. Costelow (2). Pen: Costelow
Benetton – tries: S. Maile, O. Ratave, M. Lamaro, L. Lynagh. Cons: J. Umaga (3).
Blair Murray; Ellis Mee, Eddie James, Joe Hawkins (repl Johnny Williams 47), Macs Page; Sam Costelow, Dane Blacker (repl Gareth Davies HT); Kemsley Mathias (repl Sam O’Connor 55), Ryan Elias (repl John McKee 55), Henry Thomas (repl Harri O’Connor 45), Will Evans (repl Harvey Cuckson 45), Alex Groves, Sam Lousi, Josh Macleod, Osian Williams (repl Fletcher Anderson HT).
Referee: Peter Martin (Ireland)
Attendance: 6,026