Scarlets went down to a 45-19 defeat to Harlequins in an icy Friday night friendly at The Stoop, with the match giving a number of players welcome action before the resumption of the URC.
Skipper Josh Macleod put in a typically combative half, while there were good run outs for centre Eddie James and debutant Fletcher Anderson, who crossed for a first-half try.
A lack of discipline proved costly for the West Walians, with the driving line-out a big weapon for the hosts who touched down for seven tries to Scarlets’ three.
But the game, in the midst of the international window, would have been a worthwhile exercise for head coach Dwayne Peel and his coaches ahead of the visit of Glasgow Warriors to Parc y Scarlets next Saturday night.
Peel was also able to give plenty of his youngsters their chance in the second half, including a number of U20s Academy prospects who finished the match.
Scarlets were forced into a late change with Springbok hooker Marnus van der Merwe withdrawn because of a slight hamstring strain. Harry Thomas started in the No. 2 jersey.
On a bitterly cold November night in south west London, the visitors – playing in their grey kit – started impressively and were ahead on the 10-minute mark after a strong attack in the Quins 22 led to Tomi Lewis being given a free run to the line on the left wing courtesy of a lovely looped pass from Sam Costelow, who then proceeded to nail the conversion.
It got better on 15 minutes when a line-out rumble led to a second try, with No. 8 Anderson diving over for a debut score.
Quins hit back with a surging line-out drive of their own on 21 minutes, scored by hooker Jack Walker. Jamie Benson’s successful conversion made it 12-7.
The home side were soon level in similar fashion after Scarlets’ ill-discipline had led to another attacking line-out for the hosts. Benson was on target again with the extras to give his side the lead.
A powerful run by the impressive Anderson almost led to a third Scarlets try, but Quins managed to hold the ball up over the line and the chance was lost.
Instead, it was the Quins who extended their lead to 19-12 at the interval when second row Kieran Treadwell touched down in the corner following another line-out assault.
Osian Williams and Dane Blacker came on at the start of the second half for skipper Josh Macleod and scrum-half Gareth Davies.
But four minutes after the restart Quins had their fourth with skipper Alex Dombrandt stretching over.
Dombrandt intercepted for his second and Quins’ fifth on 51 minutes, prompting wholesale changes from both sides with Scarlets bringing on teenagers Carwyn Leggatt-Jones and Kai Jones for their senior debuts.
It was Kai Jones’s clean line-out catch that secured possession for Scarlets’ third try of the night; strong work from replacement Gabe McDonald leading to Lewis diving over in the corner for his second. Leggatt-Jones landed a brilliant touchline conversion to reduce the arrears to 31-19.
However, it was Quins who finished the stronger.
Replacement Sam Riley plunged over for his side’s’ sixth as both sides emptied their respective benches, then fellow sub Lucas Friday was sent haring over at the posts to take the score out to 45-19.
Harlequins – tries: J. Walker (2), K. Treadwell, A. Dombrandt (2), S. Riley, L. Friday. Cons: J. Benson (3), J. Bellamy.
Scarlets – tries: T. Lewis (2), F. Anderson. Cons: S. Costelow (2).