Benetton salvage late draw against Scarlets

REPORT: A 79th-minute try by Benetton denied Scarlets a gutsy victory on the opening weekend of the United Rugby Championships in Treviso.

Scarlets hauled themselves back from a 12-0 first-half deficit to lead going into the final minutes.

But after some heroic defence on their own line, they couldn’t prevent Benetton wing Onisi Ratave from diving over in the corner for the 20-20 draw.

Flyhalf Jacob Umaga had a touchline conversion to steal the points, but he was wide with his attempt and the Scarlets had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Head coach Dwayne Peel would have taken plenty of positives from the clash, particularly the abrasive performance of his pack and the individual display of 19-year-old centre Macs Page, who weaved his way over for a stunning first-half try.

Jarrod Taylor crossed in the second period and Ioan Lloyd’s boot nudged his side ahead in the final quarter, but it was the Italians who had the final word of a pulsating encounter in northern Italy.

Scarlets, cheered on by a large travelling support at the Stadio Monigo, had been forced into a backline reshuffle before kick-off with Sam Costelow ruled out because of illness. Lloyd switched to flyhalf, while Johnny Williams came in at inside centre.

Following a bright start, the West Walians thought they had the opening score after the impressive Vaea Fifita had made a trademark burst from a ruck to feed Blair Murray for the run-in.

However, no sooner had the wing started celebrating his debut URC try, than the officials went to the big screen and decided that the Tongan international had a foot in front of the ball when he picked up and the score was ruled out.

It was the home side who then took control, dominating possession and territory.

After pounding the home line, the pressure eventually brought the opening score on 22 minutes with Fijian Ratave diving over in the corner for the first of his two tries.

The Italians were over for their second in the 32nd minute, fullback Rhyno Smith the beneficiary this time. Umaga converted.

A break by Page from his own half produced a golden opportunity, but Johnny Williams was unable to hold his pass and the chance was lost.

But Scarlets had their try three minutes before the break thanks to a superb solo effort from Page who took a pass from Ellis Mee 30 metres out before stepping and fending off five defenders on his way to the posts. Lloyd added the extras and the West Walians went in 12-7 adrift at the break.

The visitors were almost level three minutes after the restart following a brilliant kick and chase by Tom Rogers to force an error deep in the home 22. Turnover ball found Plumtree and his nudge to the corner was tantalisingly close to being grounded by Murray, who was in touch just before touching down.

Umaga extended Benetton’s lead to 15-7, then the Scarlets’ endeavour was rewarded with a second try on 53 minutes, coming via a short-range line-out drive that saw flanker Taylor cross. Lloyd converted.

Two more Lloyd penalties – one from long-range and another after a brilliant touchline run from skipper Gareth Davies – pushed the Scarlets 20-15 ahead, but after giving away a breakdown penalty, the visitors spent the final seven minutes camped on their own line.

Time and again they repelled Benetton attacks, but eventually, Ratave squeezed over far out before Umaga pulled his conversion attempt to leave it 20-20 at the close.

Scarlets will look to build on this encouraging performance when they host Cardiff at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.

The scorers:

For Benetton:
Tries: Ratave 2, Smith
Con: Umaga
Pen: Umaga

For Scarlets:
Tries: Page, Taylor
Cons: Lloyd 2
Pens: Lloyd 2

Teams

Benetton: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Marco Zanon, 11 Onisi Ratave, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Toa Halafihi, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Alessandro Izekor, 5 Eli Snyman (captain), 4 Scott Scrafton, 3 Nahuel Tetaz, 2 Siua Maile, 1 Spanish Mirco.
Replacements: 16 Marco Manfredi, 17 Destiny Aminu, 18 Riccardo Genovese, 19 Riccardo Favretto, 20 Sebastian Negri, 21 Alessandro Garbisi, 22 Leonardo Marin, 23 Paolo Odogwu.

Scarlets: 15 Tom Rogers, 14 Ellis Mee, 13 Macs Page, 12 Johnny Williams, 11 Blair Murray, 10 Ioan Lloyd, 9 Gareth Davies (captain),8 Vaea Fifita, 7 Jarrod Taylor, 6 Taine Plumtree, 5 Max Douglas, 4 Alex Craig, 3 Sam Wainwright, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Kemsley Mathias.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias 17 Sam O’Connor, 18 Gabe Hawley, 19 Jac Price, 20 Carwyn Tuipulotu, 21 Efan Jones, 23 Jac Davies.

Referee: Ian Kenny (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Fillipo Russo (Italy), Franco Rosella (Italy)
TMO: Dave Sutherland (Scotland)