Gunners shoot down champions Scarlets
EDINBURGH 52 SCARLETS 14
Richard
Cockerill’s capital crackers slapped down the champions to take a giant leap towards the Pro14 knock out stages.
The delighted coach watched his troops claim an eight-try haul at Murrayfield.
And now they look certs to earn a top-three finish in their section – and a return to the European Champions Cup.
Gunners gaffer Cockerill aims to use the victory over Scarlets as a springboard to being Scotland’s No. 1 team.
However, the coach played down Edinburgh’s chances of landing the Pro14 crown.
But he insisted the Warriors are now in their sights.
Cockerill said: “On one hand, we are determined to be swimming with the big fish – but we also need to be realistic.
“We are still a developing team and if we are in the title play-offs, we will enjoy the experience.
“But our next match is against Glasgow, who have been this country’s top club for quite a while.
“We have the chance to change that situation – that is what we are aiming for.”
The hosts had looked hungry during the opening exchanges, but they couldn’t turn pressure into quick points.
However they received a lucky break as they snatched the lead.
Blair Kinghorn latched on to what looked like a forward pass and dashed over for the try. There was no doubt about their next score just 30 seconds later.
Winger Duhan van der Merwe fended off two challenges to cruise in from half way.
Sam Hidalgo-clyne stroked over the conversion from a tricky angle.
The scrum-half burst back into the limelight midway through the half.
Scarlets surrendered possession to Jaco van der Valt – and he released HidalgoClyne, who was unstoppable from 50 metres out.
He added the extras to open up a 19-point gap. Former skipper Magnus Bradbury was then in the right place at the right time to bag the bonus point.
Hidalgo-clyne’s strike was perfect.
Scarlets were far from dead, however, and ex-england ace Tom Varndell broke their duck with a clinical finish in the corner.
Dan Jones found the target – then converted his own overlap touchdown to inject anxiety in the host ranks.
The Llanelli side kept up the momentum after the interval. But another moment of magic by Hidalgo-clyne eased the Gunners’ jitters.
He scuttled clear of a scrum and sent a beautifully weighted chip into the path of Van der Merwe, who was left with a clear run to the line. And super Sam turned it into a seven-pointer.
Substitute Luke Crosbie then made sure of the success by crashing through following a slick move.
Mark Bennett got in on the act after a breakout from Duncan Weir – who also converted.
And Nathan Fowles rounded off the rout by bringing up the half-century.