Nigel Davies reflected on another agonising late loss and insisted the Scarlets’ performance against a Springbok-laden Bulls side offered plenty of hope for the future.
The home side produced a stirring display against the much-vaunted visitors, who included a host of World Cup winners in their ranks.
However, ultimately, the boot of one of those Boks stars – fly-half Handre Pollard – proved the difference.
Interim Director of Rugby Davies said: “At this level, the margins are narrow and we are working hard to make sure we are on the right side of these victories.
“We are getting there, there were a couple of key moments in the game, but overall I am just delighted with the players; I thought they were brave out there, they kept on going, we executed the gameplan really well which gave us an opportunity to win the game. I am really, really pleased with the way the boys reacted to last week.”
Davies added: “In the main, I thought we managed the game well – maybe we didn’t switch to a different type of gameplan when they were down to 13, the scrum at the end was another moment – but that is how it goes sometimes, particularly when you are a side still looking to find its feet. We are getting close and that was a real statement of intent to where this team is going.
“We are moving forward, we are gradually knocking down all the things we are talking about, we have a real clear plan moving forward and the boys are starting to execute on the field. There is a lot of hope to take from that performance.”
Those words were echoed by try-scoring skipper Fletcher Anderson.
“It is a game that could have gone either way,” said the No. 8. “We spoke about backing ourselves, kicking to attack and playing off transition and a lot of the things we spoke about we did, which was awesome.
“But full credit to the Bulls, they took their opportunities and Handre Pollard has a hell of a boot.”
Fletcher added: “We spoke in the huddle after the game, last week (against Cardiff) we set ourselves up really well and got a little complacent, that wasn’t the case this week. We built moments and built pressure, there was a lot to be proud of.”