Scarlets dig deep to claim victory in Italy

Scarlets dig deep to claim victory in Italy

RESULT
Benetton Rugby V Scarlets
23 OCT 2020 KO 21:00 | Stadio Comunale di Monigo
3
 
10
Guinness PRO14
Att.: 0 S4C
Head to Head
Benetton Rugby Scarlets
WINS
8
22
LOSSES
22
8
DRAWS
0
0


Scarlets had to dig deep in difficult conditions to claim a 10-3 victory over Benetton, their first win of the 2020-21 Guinness PRO14 campaign.

The history books won’t look at this error-strewn contest as a classic, far from it, but the result was a crucial one to get the Scarlets’ campaign up and running.

Greasy conditions meant it was never going to be a night for free-flowing rugby with the game developing into a kicking battle between both sides.

And it was the men from West Wales who came out on top, creating the only try of the match, a fine second-half effort for replacement Paul Asquith.

After replacement lock Morgan Jones was red carded for a high tackle seven minutes from time, Scarlets had to withstand a final onslaught from the hosts, but some outstanding defence saw them hold out to claim the spoils.

The Scarlets, without 11 players on Wales duty, started brightly enough and could have opened the scoring inside the opening minutes, but Liam Williams - making his first appearance since re-signing from Saracens - wasn’t able to hold onto the pass.

Benetton grew into the contest as the half wore on and it was former Munster fly-half Ian Keatley broke the deadlock with a penalty on 20 minutes.

With their scrum in the ascendancy, the Scarlets pack produced an abrasive display up front, but the game struggled for continuity with both sides guilty of coughing up possession.

The second period followed a similar pattern.

Keatley hit the upright with another penalty attempt before opposite number Angus O’Brien levelled the scores on the hour mark.

Dane Blacker came close to a score after fine work from Blade Thomson and Steff Evans, but the whitewash was finally crossed 12 minutes from the end..

Man of the match O’Brien hacked upfield and won the race to the ball and when possession was recycled across field, replacement Asquith took an inside pass from Tyler Morgan to race over.

O’Brien’s conversion extended the lead to 10-3, then came the late drama.

Will Benetton throwing everything in desperate search of a game-equalling score, Jones - on his PRO14 debut - was dismissed for a dangerous tackle by referee Andrew Brace.

However, in the dying minutes the visitors managed to repel any further threat and were able to kick the ball dead to secure a first win of the campaign.

Benetton - pen: I. Keatley.

Scarlets - try: P. Asquith. Con: A. O’Brien. Pen: O’Brien.

RESULT
Benetton Rugby V Scarlets
23 OCT 2020 KO 21:00 | Stadio Comunale di Monigo
3
 
10
Guinness PRO14
Att.: 0 S4C

SCORECARD
Benetton RugbyScarlets
- TRY Paul Asquith
- CON Angus O'Brien
Ian Keatley
PEN Angus O'Brien
- DG -
- YC -
- YC Morgan Jones


Head to Head
Benetton Rugby Scarlets
WINS
8
22
LOSSES
22
8
DRAWS
0
0


SCORECARD
Benetton RugbyScarlets
- TRY Paul Asquith
- CON Angus O'Brien
Ian Keatley
PEN Angus O'Brien
- DG -
- YC -
- YC Morgan Jones




Scarlets had to dig deep in difficult conditions to claim a 10-3 victory over Benetton, their first win of the 2020-21 Guinness PRO14 campaign.

The history books won’t look at this error-strewn contest as a classic, far from it, but the result was a crucial one to get the Scarlets’ campaign up and running.

Greasy conditions meant it was never going to be a night for free-flowing rugby with the game developing into a kicking battle between both sides.

And it was the men from West Wales who came out on top, creating the only try of the match, a fine second-half effort for replacement Paul Asquith.

After replacement lock Morgan Jones was red carded for a high tackle seven minutes from time, Scarlets had to withstand a final onslaught from the hosts, but some outstanding defence saw them hold out to claim the spoils.

The Scarlets, without 11 players on Wales duty, started brightly enough and could have opened the scoring inside the opening minutes, but Liam Williams - making his first appearance since re-signing from Saracens - wasn’t able to hold onto the pass.

Benetton grew into the contest as the half wore on and it was former Munster fly-half Ian Keatley broke the deadlock with a penalty on 20 minutes.

With their scrum in the ascendancy, the Scarlets pack produced an abrasive display up front, but the game struggled for continuity with both sides guilty of coughing up possession.

The second period followed a similar pattern.

Keatley hit the upright with another penalty attempt before opposite number Angus O’Brien levelled the scores on the hour mark.

Dane Blacker came close to a score after fine work from Blade Thomson and Steff Evans, but the whitewash was finally crossed 12 minutes from the end..

Man of the match O’Brien hacked upfield and won the race to the ball and when possession was recycled across field, replacement Asquith took an inside pass from Tyler Morgan to race over.

O’Brien’s conversion extended the lead to 10-3, then came the late drama.

Will Benetton throwing everything in desperate search of a game-equalling score, Jones - on his PRO14 debut - was dismissed for a dangerous tackle by referee Andrew Brace.

However, in the dying minutes the visitors managed to repel any further threat and were able to kick the ball dead to secure a first win of the campaign.

Benetton - pen: I. Keatley.

Scarlets - try: P. Asquith. Con: A. O’Brien. Pen: O’Brien.