Costelow takes chance to shine for Scarlets

DWAYNE Peel praised the performance of Sam Costelow after the young playmaker helped fire the Scarlets to a comprehensive bonus point win over the Lions.

The Wales U20s outsidehalf has had to wait patiently for a start in the 10 jersey and took it with both hands, kicking 16 points while also getting the best out of a razorsharp back division which cut the Lions to shreds.

“His kicking game was very good but in general he ran the game very well,” said Peel.

“We challenged him over the summer and told him he needed to be more of a threat on the line. He’s a young kid who is learning his trade and I’m sure that would have done him the world of good.

“We need him to be a threat. He’s brave as well and a good defender, so I’m pleased for him because it was a big game for him.”

It wasn’t all plain sailing for the Scarlets who struggled at the set-piece and looked underpowered in the front-five, but their attacking game and a tremendous ball carrying performance from No.8 Sione Kalamafoni got them over the line.

The Scarlets made the perfect start with Rob Evans powering over from short range after five minutes, with Costelow converting. Jordan Hendrikse pulled three points back for the Lions, but the Scarlets hit again with some wonderful handling from Scott Williams, Costelow, and Johnny McNicholl putting Tom Rogers over in the righthand corner.

Hendrikse and Costelow exchanged a further two penalties as the Scarlets led 20-6 at the break. The Lions were the better side for the first quarter of the second-half as their heavy pack put the Scarlets under severe pressure, before giant second row Ruben Schoeman muscled

his way over the line.

But the Scarlets responded immediately with another penalty from Costelow and came close to a third try when Rogers raced clear before offloading to Dane Blacker. The scrum-half was stopped just short of the line by a high shot which saw Lions wing Rabz Maxwane sin binned.

The hosts had wrestled back the momentum and made the most of their numerical advantage with a try from inside their own 22. Scott Williams burst clear before offloading to Ioan Nicholas who sent Jonathan Davies powering forward. Davies drew in Ew Viljoen to put Rogers over for his second try.

The Scarlets claimed the bonus point try at the death as deceptive winger Steff Evans cut through the defence to score a try from 50 metres out.

“We weren’t patient enough in their 22 nor with our kicking game, while they managed to convert pressure into points,” said Lions head coach Ivan van Rooyen.