Scarlets U18s turn on second-half style to see off resilient RGC

Rob Lloyd Academy News, News

Scarlets U18s maintained their 100 percent record in the Regional Age Grade Championship with a third successive bonus-point win, beating RGC 41-6 at the Parc y Scarlets training pitch.

The young Scarlets trailed a resilient North Walian outfit 3-0 at the interval, despite having a strong wind in their favour.

But Tom Phillips’s side went through the gears in the second period, running in six tries to emerge convincing winners.

In the first half Scarlets were frustrated by their own handling errors and some stubborn RGC defence and as a result, it was the visitors who held onto an early lead through a penalty from fly-half Cynnan Griffiths to go in with their noses ahead at half-time.

Griffiths doubled the advantage shortly after the restart and that prompted the Scarlets to spark into life.

Centre Tyler Davies cut a superb line to race to the posts for the game’s first try, converted by fly-half Ellis Payne, then replacement Carwyn Jones nudged his side further ahead with a penalty.

To their credit, RGC came close to responding on a couple of occasions, only for strong home defence to keep them out.

With sub back-rower Tiaan Sparrow making another big impact, Scarlets then took a grip on proceedings when replacement scrum-half Bowyn Clark pounced from short range for his side’s second.

Payne produced a brilliant solo effort for the third, making an outside break, chipping over the final defender then gathering for the touch down and another replacement, Ioan Thomas secured the try bonus, when he burst over from an attacking scrum.

With the Scarlets now in free-running mode, slick handling put right flying wing Harri Gwynn Jones over for the fifth, before centre Tyler Davies stepped his way to the line for his second and his side’s sixth of the afternoon.

The Scarlets finish their campaign when they take on the Ospreys on Wednesday, February 7.

Scarlets U18s – tries: T. Davies (2), B. Clark, E. Payne, I. Thomas, H. Gwynn Jones. Cons: Payne, C. Jones (3). Pen: Jones.