PRIESTLAND BOOTS BATH TO VICTORY
BATH ripped the rag doll from Scarlets’ clutches last night — and with it went Welsh European hopes. These sides have been contesting the toy since 1921 and it sat on the padding above the left post in Llanelli, wearing Scarlets red after the hosts’ last competitive win over the English in 2006.
But now it will don blue, black and white, returning to the West Country thanks to the boot of a West Walian. Rhys Priestland, formerly of this parish, kicked every one of Bath’s points in the lingering rain and effectively killed off Scarlets’ hopes of qualifying for the Champions Cup knockout stages.
Steff Evans did score a stunning try in spite of the swirling conditions and Leigh Halfpenny kicked the rest from the tee but the Pro 12 champions and their free- flowing style could not weather the storm.
After 20 minutes many may have wondered why they bothered — including the 30 men on the field. It was a horrible night. It was so wet that almost every possession was kicked, passes slipped from hands and it looked an evening for penalties alone. What a shame for two teams born to run.
But not even Storm Brian could stop the red-hot Scarlets. After Priestland had hit two penalties and Halfpenny knocked over one, the Welsh defied all rugby logic with their opening score.
Will Boyde started it, flicking an audacious offload just before he was tackled out the back of his hand to Tadhg Beirne wrapping round. Suddenly there was space in midfield on the Scarlets’ 10-metre line and Rhys Patchell found Evans on the left. The in-form Wales wing darted inside from his flank and was away, drawing the defender to find Gareth Davies who supported fantastically and added yet more pace.
Anthony Watson dragged the scrum-half down a few metres short but it was not enough as Davies completed the one-two, popping from the floor to Evans who slid over. The handling was breathtaking on such a wet and wild night. Halfpenny converted and Scarlets led 10-6.
At the break, though, pragmatism told. Priestland was not missing a thing and two more penalties from his boot meant Bath went in sodden, but two points up.
After the interval Priestland almost had try to add to his tally. Charging down a Patchell clearance he was suddenly alone, faced with a bobbling ball and just 20 metres left to the Scarlets line. He hacked on and tried to slide over with it from five metres but knocked on in the process and the try was denied after a look at the replay.
As it was Priestland had to be content with his fifth penalty 10 minutes later. When it had gone over Bath frustrated the Scarlets with little dinks to the corners, while strong carrying from the forwards did not allow the Welshmen a sniff.
And when a rolling maul was collapsed inside the Scarlets’ 22 Priestland knocked over another penalty to put Bath beyond a converted score.
Halfpenny’s late kick was only good for a losing bonus point.