Scarlets’ put themselves within touching distance of a place in the BKT United Rugby Championship play-offs thanks to an outstanding bonus-point 32-19 victory over the Emirates Lions in Johannesburg.
The maximum haul from their first ever victory on South African soil since the big four franchises were introduced has hoisted Dwayne Peel’s side into sixth place in the league standings with just one round remaining.
In front of 100 or so travelling supporters who had made the 8,000-mile trip to the Rainbow Nation, Scarlets emptied the tank on the Highveld and were fully deserving of their win, scoring four tries and leaving a couple out there.
Player of the match Blair Murray crossed for a try double, while Taine Plumtree and Johnny Williams also touched down.
There was also an accomplished display from fly-half Sam Costelow, who kicked 12 points from the tee, including a crucial drop-goal on the stroke of half-time.
It was a sticky start for the visitors who saw Sam Lousi yellow carded for a high challenge after just five minutes.
But being a man down didn’t impact the Welsh side, who were over for their opening try on 14 minutes.
A strong line-out drive and carry from Johnny Williams put the home side on the back foot, then, with a penalty advantage in their pocket, slick Scarlets hands freed the outstanding Murray on a rapid line to the whitewash. Costelow converted.
It needed resilient defence to keep the Lions at bay with Lousi and compatriot Vaea Fifita holding the home side up over the line.
And when the Scarlets won a penalty to relieve pressure, they struck for their second try.
A clever move off a lineout saw Gareth Davies put wing Ellis Mee slicing through the gap to the posts. The Wales international was brought down just short, then quick ball saw Joe Roberts send Murray over for his second and 10th of the season. Costelow landed the extras again.
Archie Hughes replaced scrum-half Gareth Davies on the half hour mark with the veteran nine having taken a couple of blows to the head.
With the clock ticking towards half-time, back came the Lions.
After relentless pressure on the Scarlets line, scrum-half Nico Steyn sniped over at the posts for a converted score and to compound matters replacement Dan Davis – on for Josh Macleod (HIA) – was sin-binned by referee Andrew Brace following repeat infringements by the visitors.
But it was the Scarlets who finished the half with a crucial three-points.
After Alec Hepburn of all people had kicked through into home territory, Fifita stole the home line-out and Costelow landed a brilliant 40-metre drop-goal – in off the right upright – to make it 17-7 at the break.
And the Scarlets supporters were up off their feet again four minutes after the restart.
It was that man Costelow who made the incisive dummy and break, Murray carried on the good work and when the ball came back a few metres out, Plumtree burst onto the pass to touch down, prompting a rendition of Calon Lan from Ellis Park. Costelow’s conversion rebounded off the upright.
The Lions struck for their second try when wing Richard Kriel was sent over from an attacking scrum.
Lions were reduced to 14 men when back-rower JC Pretorius was carded for deliberately bringing down a line-out, but Scarlets failed to take advantage, knocking the ball on within inches of the line. To add to the visitors’ frustration, Kriel’s second on the hour mark brought the Lions to within three points.
A blistering Murray break almost brought the Scarlets their bonus try, but the full-back’s pass failed to find Mee on his outside and another chance was lost.
The Scarlets did finally get the try they deserved with eight minutes remaining. Fifita’s step and outside break on halfway put him clear and his smart inside pass found Williams on a run to the line. Costelow converted to make it 29-19.
A late Costelow penalty put the seal on a victory that was the Scarlets fourth successive bonus-point haul in the URC.
Attention now turns to the final match of the regular season against the Sharks in Durban on Saturday with all to play for!
Lions – tries: N. Steyn, R. Kriel (2). Cons: K. Wolhuter. L. Dobela
Scarlets – tries: B. Murray (2), T. Plumtree, J. Williams. Cons: S. Costelow (2). D-g: Costelow