Scarlets add to Kings' misery
MATCH REPORT: Scarlets kept up the pace in the top three of Conference B with a36-17 won over an improved Southern Kings.
The South Africans led at the 50-minute mark but Scarlets eventually kicked into life with Ryan Conbeer, Uzair Cassiem, Dan Davis and Tom Rogers all piling on the points to close out.
Key Moments
Scarlets started on the front foot but seemed to have their momentum stunted early on when wing Steff Evans touched down in the corner only to see it ruled out for a foot in touch.
*As it happened: Scarlets v Kings
Courtney Winnaar kicked a penalty for the Kings to take the lead but Scarlets soon fired back, counter-attacking with Josh Mcleod out wide and Phil Price delightfully offloading to an onrushing Tevita Ratuva.
The South Africans, though, were playing well and from an attacking scrum on 28 minutes centre Howard Mnisi easily found the gap five metres out.
Ed Kennedy also crossed before half-time for a 12-10 home lead but after the break the Kings stunned their hosts with a beautifully worked try for Christopher Hollis.
Demetri Catrakilis converted but then the pendulum swung back the other way, the west Walians with an excellent strike move that saw Conbeer with much to do on the flank but completing his task with some excellent footwork.
Robbi Kempson’s men attempted to fire back once more but couldn’t make it count, the all-powerful Cassiem next on the scoresheet with a muscular drive from in close.
Scarlets led 26-17 with 15 left to play but only pushed harder after securing the bonus point, a fine cross-field sent over into the corner for Wales U20s star Davis to expertly finish off – replacement Rogers also getting into the same corner to round off the scoring.
Play of the Day
Ryan Conbeer takes this one for one of the best individual finishes of the weekend, attacking off a lineout just outside the Kings 22.
A deliberate overthrow eventually saw the ball to Steff Evans off his wing and then to Conbeer, who stepped back inside Mnisi and outside two covering defenders.
Man of the Match – Josh Macleod
The young flanker is having a sterling season for Scarlets and continued it on Sunday, with an all-action performance across the park.
Macleod made 57 metres with ball in hand, 11 tackles and helped set up the first try with his superb work-rate.
The scorers:
For Scarlets:
Tries: Ratuva, Kenedy, Conbeer, Cassiem, Davis, Rogers
Cons: Jones 2, Conbeer
For Southern Kings:
Tries: Mnisi, Hollis
Cons: Catrakilis 2
Pens: Winnaar
Teams:
Scarlets: 15 Angus O’Brien, 14 Corey Baldwin, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Paul Asquith, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Dan Jones, 9 Kieran Hardy, 8 Uzair Cassiem, 7 Josh Macleod, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Tevita Ratuva, 3 Werner Kruger(captain), 2 Taylor Davies, 1 Phil Price
Replacements: 16 Ifan Phillips, 17 Dylan Evans, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Steve Cummins, 20 Dan Davis, 21 Dane Blacker, 22 Ryan Conbeer, 23 Tom Rogers
Southern Kings: Southern Kings: 15 Courtney Winnaar, 14 Chris Hollis, 13 Sibusiso Sithole, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Erich Cronje, 10 Demetri Catrakils, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8, Elright Louw, 7 Ruaan Lerm, 6 Lusanda Badiyana, 5 JC Astle (captain), 4 Jerry Sexton, 3 Rossouw de Klerk, 2 Jacques du Toit, 1 Schalk Ferreira
Replacements: 16 Alandre van Rooyen, 17 Xandre Vos, 18 Pieter Scholtz, 19 Aston Fortuin, 20 Bobby de Wee, 21 Thembelani Bholi, 22 Josh Allderman, 23 Eddie Ludick
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Gareth John (Wales), Paul Haycock (Ireland)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)
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