Stormers edge it but Peel hails his troops
A LAST-GASP Ruhan Nel try condemned the Scarlets to the second tier of European rugby and ensured the Ospreys would be Wales’ sole representation in next seasons Champions Cup.
Up until the last minute a young Scarlets side short of several front-line players were excellent and went toe to toe with a Stormers side who finished top of the South African Shield.
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel was naturally disappointed with the result but is encouraged by the direction his side are heading in.
“We emptied the tank,” said Peel. “Everyone has seen the Stormers play this season, they have been high energy, big physicality, with big carries. We went toe to toe with that. I’m proud of the effort we’ve put in. The game was about fine margins, and either side could have won it.
“I’m pleased with some of our younger guys. I thought Jac Price was outstanding at second-row. We had a young front-row out against Kitshoff and Malherbe who are Springboks World Cup winners. That front-row was the Carmarthen Quins front-row of a few years ago.
“I think there’s huge growth, but it is about how we react. These guys have had a taste.
“That’s the top end level. We can compete, yes, but we have to compete consistently, and we haven’t done that this year is the truth.”
Wales head coach Wayne Pivac would have been a concerned man with Rhys Patchell leaving the field with a hamstring injury, while Johnny Williams went off officially with a head injury assessment but looked to have picked up a hand injury as well.
The Scarlets drew first blood through Sam Costelow’s boot and a lovely chip over the top of a blitzing Stormers defence by Gareth Davies was gathered by club captain Jonathan Davies who put Johnny Williams over for a tremendous try.
The Stormers hit back when Hacjivah Dayimani brushed aside a few defenders before putting Zelim Zas over for his 11th try of the season. Manie Libbok converted but
Costelow nicked three points back after the visitors conceded a penalty from the breakdown.
The Stormers laid siege to the Scarlets try line in the closing stages of the first-half. A stolen lineout from Aaron Shingler, and a turnover from Liam Williams, seemed to have kept the South Africa side
at bay, but impressive No 8 Evan Roos finally broke the Scarlets defence as he powered over from shortrange. Libbok converted, meaning the Scarlets held a slender 16-14 lead at the interval.
The Stormers took the lead two minutes after the interval when Nel hit a tremendous angle to score.
Peel’s side tried desperately to get back into the game, and very nearly broke the Stormers line when Patchell broke clear, but Deon Fourie won a crucial penalty at the breakdown.
Fourie was soon given his marching orders after he received a yellow card for a high tackle on Kieran
Hardy. The Scarlets kept applying pressure, and a pass from Davies put Conbeer over for a cracking try. Williams missed the conversion, meaning the scores were level at 21-21 with eight minutes left.
The Scarlets had their opportunities, but Nel ghosted his way over the line at the death to win it.