Scarlets claim second URC victory
MATCH REPORT: Scarlets produced a brilliant second-half performance as they recovered from Sione Kalamafoni’s red to beat Dragons 33-17.
The Tonga international was shown a red card after a confrontation with Wales and British and Irish Lions backrower Ross Moriarty in the 32nd minute of this United Rugby Championship clash.
It was the second time in two games that the Scarlets found themselves down to 14 men in the first half but they produced a superb rearguard action to secure only a second win of their URC campaign.
The Dragons will be scratching their heads at how they did not make their extra man count against their fellow strugglers, but the home side were well worth the win with wings Steff Evans, Johnny McNicholl and scrum-half Dane Blacker all crossing for tries.
Leigh Halfpenny slotted over two penalties to put the Scarlets ahead but the Dragons hit back with three points from JJ Hanrahan.
Visiting wing Rio Dyer then split the home side’s defence with an arcing run to put full-back Angus O’Brien in at the corner for the Dragons’ first try against the run of play.
Hanrahan added the conversion to make it 10-6 before the Scarlets replied almost straight away when a slick backline move saw Evans run in unopposed. Halfpenny added the conversion to give the Scarlets a three-point lead.
Then, the game exploded with major fracas between both sides with Kalamafoni being given his marching orders following an incident involving opposite number Moriarty.
Moriarty was shown a yellow card but the Dragons took full advantage with a driving lineout from the penalty and scrum-half Lewis Jones crashed over from short range to make it 15-13 to the visitors.
Hanrahan and Halfpenny swapped a conversion and a penalty to make it 16-17 to the Dragons at half-time, but it was the home side who would end up claiming the win thanks to a superb second-half display.
Halfpenny added a fourth penalty to give his side a 19-17 lead at the start of the second half.
The Scarlets’ 14 men then enjoyed a period of pressure on the Dragons line and Blacker finally crashed over for the try that further extended the home side’s lead.
Halfpenny added the conversion before McNicholl crossed for the Scarlets’ third try right on full-time to record an unlikely but deserved home win.
The scorers
For Scarlets
Tries: Steffan Evans, Blacker, McNicholl
Cons: Halfpenny 3
Pens: Halfpenny 4
For Dragons
Tries: O’Brien, Jones
Cons: Hanrahan 2
Pens: Hanrahan
Scarlets: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Joe Roberts, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Dane Blacker, 8 Sione Kalamafoni, 7 Dan Davis, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Vaea Fifita, 3 WillGriff John, 2 Ken Owens (captain), 1 Kemsley Mathias.
Replacements: 16 Shaun Evans, 17 Steff Thomas, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Morgan Jones, 20 Carwyn Tuipulotu, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Dan Jones, 23 Jonathan Davies.
Dragons: 15 Angus O’Brien, 14 Rio Dyer, 13 Steff Hughes (captain), 12 Jack Dixon, 11 Ashton Hewitt, 10 JJ Hanrahan, 9 Lewis Jones, 8 Ross Moriarty, 7 Taine Basham, 6 Aaron Wainwright, 5 George Nott, 4 Joe Davies, 3 Chris Coleman, 2 Bradley Roberts, 1 Aki Seiuli.
Replacements: 16 Brodie Coghlan, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Luke Yendle, 19 Matthew Screech, 20 Ben Fry, 21 Che Hope, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Sio Tomkinson.
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
Referee assistants: Craig Evans (Wales, ) Mike English (Wales)
TMO: Sean Brickell (Wales)
