Evans sets tempo with stunning try-double
SCARLETS remain in the PRO12 play-off places after making it seven successive victories with another bonus-point win in Italy.
Scrum-half Jonathan Evans made the most of a rare start earning the man of the match award for his two tries, but it was returning Wales centre Jonathan Davies who made the biggest impact.
His midfield power and prowess paved the way for two of the five tries.
Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac said: “We’ve been here in recent years and got four points, so we’re happy to get five. We let them back into the game and it was frustrating to let them have a couple of tries towards the end.
“After a slow start to the season the boys have worked really hard and we’ve picked up 19 out of a possible 20 points in the last four games. That has given us confidence.”
Still searching for their first home league win this season, Zebre twice took the lead through Carlo Canna in the opening quarter. He struck with a third minute drop-goal and then added a penalty after an offence at the breakdown.
Scarlets hit back when No.9 Jonathan Evans,
below, darted over. Rhys Patchell added the extras, but Canna’s second dropgoal after stepping back into the pocket made it 9-7 midway through the first half.
Two tries in the blistering five minute burst just before the break then turned the game firmly in favour of the Welsh region.
Jonathan Davies, Steff Evans and Hadleigh Parkes combined to set up a position in the home 22 and from a lineout Aaron Shingler was worked over in the corner.
Patchell converted and then added another sublime conversion from wide out after DTH van der Merwe was sent diving over in the right corner.
That made it 21-9 to the visitors at the break and Aled Thomas bagged the bonus point five minutes into the second half.
Evans then went on a fine solo run to claim his second to make it 31-9 with half an hour left to play. Pivac decided to empty his bench and that allowed Zebre to mount a late rearguard action.
Tries from No.8 Federico Ruzza and wing Giovanbattista Venditti, one of which Canna converted, cut the gap before the Italian flyhalf landed an 80th minute penalty to claim a deserved losing bonus-point.