Scarlets celebrated their first win of the BKT United Rugby Championship after nilling former champions Glasgow Warriors with a dominant display at Parc y Scarlets.
Inspired by a power-charged scrum and gritty resilience without the ball, Dwayne Peel’s side were full value for their 23-0 victory.
Max Douglas, in his first game back from injury, was at the heart of everything, earning himself the player-of-the-match award, while skipper Josh Macleod, hooker Ryan Elias and centre Eddie James made up for lost time with outstanding individual displays.
Out wide, a rookie back three of URC debutant Iori Badham, Jac Davies and Tomi Lewis, worked tirelessly; new signing Fletcher Anderson made a big impression with his strong carrying, while Sam Costelow was a composed presence at 10, enjoying an immaculate night with the boot.
Facing a Glasgow side who have started the campaign in impressive fashion, Scarlets knew they needed to raise the bar from their two previous home performances and they did just that.
It took some resolute early defence to keep the Warriors at bay in the early exchanges, as Scarlets fell foul of the whistle of South African referee Christopher Allison.
But after withstanding the early assault from the Scots, the Scarlets took a grip on proceedings.
With their set-piece gaining the ascendancy, Dwayne Peel’s side set up camp in the visitors’ 22 and from a line-out drive, the all-action Macleod touched down under a heap of bodies. Costelow landed the conversion and the home side were up and running.
Costelow extended the advantage from the tee after the Scarlets’ scrum had won a penalty, then the fly-half added another as Glasgow infringed in defensive mode.
The all-action Douglas went close to a second Scarlets’ try just before half-time only to be nudged into touch by the corner flag, but Peel’s side were well worthy of their 13-0 advantage.
That second try did come, though and not long after the restart.
A lovely cross-kick from Costelow was gathered by Tomi Lewis on the left wing; the speedster cut inside a defender, then his inside pass was knocked back by a Glasgow hand and it was Macs Page who reacted the quickest, pouncing on the loose ball for the score. Costelow again converted to take the score out to 20-0.
Scarlets pressed for a third score, with Ryan Elias going close, but a penalty against Douglas allowed the Warriors to clear their lines.
The final quarter saw Glasgow look to make some impression on the scoreboard, but Scarlets continued to hold firm.
A long-range Costelow penalty made it 23-0 on 67 minutes, allowing Peel to bring on youngsters Carwyn Leggatt-Jones and Gabe McDonald for their URC debuts, capping a night to remember for the West Walians.
Scarlets – tries: J. Macleod, M. Page. Cons: S. Costelow (2). Pens: Costelow (3)
Scarlets: J. Davies; I. Badham. M. Page, E. James, T. Lewis (repl G. McDonald 78); S. Costelow (repl C. Leggatt-Jones 78), G. Davies (repl D. Blacker 69); K. Mathias (repl S. O’Connor), R. Elias (repl M. van der Merwe 64), A. Holz (repl Henry Thomas 67), J. Ball (repl H. Cuckson 67), S. Lousi, M. Douglas, J. Macleod (capt; repl D Davis 25-37), F. Anderson (repl D. Davis 72).
Yellow card: Harvey Cuckson (72)
Referee: Christopher Allison (SA)
Attendance: 5,444