A young Scarlets squad enjoyed a first run-out of the season at Llandovery’s Church Bank, taking on Super Rygbi Cymru teams Llandovery and Carmarthen Quins in two keenly-contested halves.
There were plenty of positives for all three camps with Scarlets able to give a number of new faces and up-and-coming youngsters opportunities in the jersey.
Scarlets scored four tries in the opening half against the Drovers (26-7), while wing Tomi Lewis was on the scoresheet as the Quins edged the second period 7-5.
Reflecting on the afternoon, head coach Dwayne Peel said: “I enjoyed it, we saw some of the things we have been putting together on the training field in both halves.
“I thought we moved the ball nicely, particularly in that first period and there’s plenty to build on as well. For us, it was great to get that first run out.
“The second half team was very young in terms of experience and age. The Quins have strengthened over the summer with some senior pros and it was a great battle for our young forwards”
Joe Hawkins and Tristan Davies, both summer arrivals, caught the eye for the Scarlets.
Peel added: “Joe played 50 or so minutes at 10, a slightly different position for him, and I thought he was really composed on the ball and played really well. I was really pleased for him and Tristan was a real standout for us in both halves. It was also great to see Dane (Blacker) back in the fold, scoring for us.’
Scarlets were watched by their international contingent at Church Bank with a number of those players set to be involved in the next pre-season clash with Dragons RFC at Rodney Parade on Saturday.
“Next week we will have our international players back,” confirmed Peel. “Today was a chance for new guys and young players to have opportunities, it is now about building towards Munster which is not far away.”
First Half
With a strong wind gusting in their favour down the Church Bank 3G surface, Scarlets bossed the opening half against a gritty young Drovers outfit.
Hawkins, an assured presence in the fly-half spot, put in a booming 50:22 and the pressure eventually led to the opening try, scored off a driving line-out by prop Harri O’Connor – his first in a Scarlets jersey.
Not to be outdone, fellow front-rower Kemsley Mathias went rampaging over minutes later with Hawkins adding the extras.
More pressure led to a third try – skipper Ioan Nicholas hitting a sharp line close to the posts. Hawkins nudged over the simple conversion.
To their credit, the Drovers kept battling and claimed a deserved score when scrum-half George McDonald – who has been training with the Scarlets throughout the summer – pounced on a kick through. Half-back partner Sam Potter converted.
The try of the half came on 29 minutes. Centre Gabe McDonald punched his way forward, the lively Jac Davies sliced open the defence on an inside line and the full-back unselfishly fed scrum-half Dane Blacker for a free run to the posts.
Some handling rustiness denied the Scarlets a couple of further scores, but there was plenty to encourage from the first 40 minutes.
Llandovery 7 Scarlets 26
Second Half
It was Quins who took early control of this contest after Scarlets failed to deal with the kick-off.
Dominating territory and possession with skipper Shaun Evans outstanding, the Quins carved out a golden opportunity to go ahead only to spill the ball over the line.
A Hawkins break from deep was a highlight for the Scarlets, who were pressed into defensive mode for long periods.
The Quins’ reward came when Scarlets Academy wing Tomos Williams took a lovely looped pass to score in the corner. Fly-half Ifan Davies nailed thet touchline conversion.
Scarlets enjoyed far more ball in the final quarter with Nicholas to the fore and with eight minutes remaining they eventually broke down the Quins defence when the skipper fed wing Tomi Lewis for a free route to the corner.
Elis Price was narrowly wide with the conversion, then in the final minute as Scarlets pressed for the clincher, wing Callum Woolley was denied wide out.
Carmarthen Quins 7 Scarlets 5