Scarlets turned on the style with an emphatic victory to launch their EPCR Challenge Cup campaign, running in seven tries in a 47-12 win over Newcastle Red Bulls at Parc y Scarlets.
The home side were in rampant mood under the lights, producing some sparking rugby.
Macs Page, on his 50th appearance, added another two tries to his season tally, Ellis Mee pounced for another in a player-of-the-match display, while Josh Macleod delivered an outstanding captain’s display at openside, producing a string of key turnovers.
It was the perfect start to the competition for Nigel Davies and his team, who return to URC action with a trip to South Africa this week.
And it was fitting that a number of former players who enjoyed some great European nights in a Scarlets jersey were there to witness it as part of the launch of the new Captain’s Lounge.
Looking to build on last weekend’s URC win over Benetton, the Scarlets took the field with an adventure and desire to give the ball width.
Red Bulls also showed the endeavour that has been evident in their opening games, but it was the Scarlets who struck first, setting the tone for what was to follow.
The first try came from a messy delivery from a line-out drive, but after taking a reverse pass from his half-back partner Gareth Davies, Sam Costelow did superbly to scoot through the gap to dive over at the posts. The fly-half added the extras and the Scarlets were up and running.
Scarlets were looking threatening on transition ball and their second try came from a Newcastle turnover in the home half. Sam Lousi pounced, off-loaded and then Davies found Mee on the outside with an identical cross-field to Costelow’s the previous week.
Again the winger beat his man, but this time was hauled down just short of the corner. However, from the short-range ruck, Scarlets recycled and Fletcher Anderson hit a great line and had the power to drive over. Costelow hit the upright with the conversion.
A third try arrived on 26 minutes. More slick play by the backs took play up to the Red Bulls 22; then, when the ball came back, second row Alex Groves burst through before feeding Johnny Williams for a free run to the posts against his former team. Costelow converted.
There was still time for one more try before the break, Mee making the key break with Williams providing the link for Gareth Davies to cross at the posts. Joe Hawkins – on for Costelow – made it 26-0 to the Scarlets at half-time.
Scarlets thought they had a fifth two minutes after the restart, only for the officials to rule out Joe Roberts’s effort for a knock-on by replacement Taine Plumtree, making his first appearance of the campaign after recovering from shoulder surgery.
The home fans didn’t have long to wait though, with the impressive Hawkins finding Mee with a lovely pass after Newcastle had been reduced to 14 men following the sin-binning of prop Murray McCullum. Hawkins nailed a brilliant touchline conversion.
The sixth came straight from the kick-off. Anderson made the bust, Roberts supported and a lovely nudge through from Hawkins was picked up by Page for the score.
Scarlets were in rampant mood and Page was soon celebrating his second courtesy of a lovely backs move and Mee’s kick infield.
The Red Bulls refused to throw in the towel and did cross for two consolation scores through replacement Oli Spencer and flanker Ollie Leatherbarrow, but it didn’t take the shine of a comprehensive victory for the West Walians.
Scarlets – tries: S. Costelow, F. Anderson, J. Williams, G. Davies, E. Mee, M. Page (2). Cons: Costelow (2), J. Hawkins (4).
Red Bulls – O. Spencer, O. Leatherbarrow. Cons: J. Hodge (2).
Blair Murray; Ellis Mee, Joe Roberts, Johnny Williams (repl Eddie James 42), Macs Page; Sam Costelow (repl Joe Hawkins 37), Gareth Davies (repl Dane Blacker); Kemsley Mathias (repl Sam O’Connor 51), John McKee (repl Ryan Elias 48; repl McKee), Harri O’Connor (repl Gabe Hawley 51), Harvey Cuckson (repl Taine Plumtree 40), Alex Groves, Sam Lousi (repl Dan Davis 64), Josh Macleod (capt), Fletcher Anderson.
Att: 5,269