SHARKS EDGE OUT IMPROVED SCARLETS
THE Scarlets fell just short against a powerful Sharks outfit in Llanelli after a much-improved performance.
It has been a horrible season for Dwayne Peel’s side who have only won three games all campaign, but there has been much more structure to their game over the past fortnight while their attack has been a lot better.
But ultimately the West Walians don’t possesses the adequate power up front to beat the better sides in this competition and they were undone by a hat-trick of tries from Sharks wing Werner Kok, along with a score from Springboks prop Vincent Koch.
Siya Masuku kicked 12 points. The hosts crossed for three tries of their own courtesy of Ryan Elias, Kemsley Mathias and Ioan Nicholas, while Sam Costelow kicked 12 points.
Costelow nudged the Scarlets into an early lead with three points from the tee after a bright start for the hosts, but the Sharks hit straight back.
A poor exit by the home side gave the Sharks an attacking line-out and some slick handling sent Kok over for his first try.
Nicholas sparked the Scarlets back into life with a clean break upfield before releasing Tomi Lewis, who raced along the touchline. After a few phases a tip-on pass from Johnny Williams sent Sam Lousi through a gap with the Tonga international offloading to Elias who slid over for a try.
Costelow added the extras but the Sharks’ greater power and size began to take its toll on the Scarlets who were beginning to cough up penalties at the scrum.
After a menacing driving line-out and some powerful carries, the visitors forced their way back into the lead when Koch powered his way over from close range.
After Masuku extended the Sharks’ lead with a penalty, the game began to break up and as a result the Scarlets were beginning to make headway. Home full-back Nicholas broke clear again before putting powerful centre Williams through a gap.
After a couple of phases a powerful carry from Mathias resulted in the Scarlets’ second try which Costelow converted to level the scores.
But the Sharks hit straight back when a well-timed cross-kick from Masuku found Kok, who touched down for his second try.
The Sharks continued to grind down the Scarlets and another crosskick from Masuku was taken by Kok who claimed his hat-trick.
But the game wasn’t over yet and the Scarlets hit straight back at their visitors when Taine Plumtree claimed a loose ball to send Williams clear, who offloaded to Kieran Hardy.
The Wales international was brought down just short of the line but after a couple of phases the ball was spun wide for Nicholas to score at the corner.
Costelow struck a touchline conversion to set up a grandstand finish but the visitors held on.
Peel has called on the Scarlets to deliver a series of consistent displays in the final weeks of the season after showing sings of a return to form.
The head coach said: “We fought hard for the full 80 minutes and there were elements to be proud of.
“The challenge is to keep that level of consistency for the rest of the season.
“Defensively we were particularly strong at the maul where we were up against the Springbok front five.
“But we dealt with that and played with some freedom.
“While we’re not happy with losing, it just felt a different atmosphere here tonight with the fans.”