Supersub Beirne seals victory in Parc thriller
SCARLETS ........ 36 CONNACHT ...... 27
THE battle of the last two Guinness PRO champions lived up to its billing with the reigning title holders pushed all the way in a Parc y Scarlets thriller.
It needed a late try from supersub Tadhg Beirne to calm the nerves in Llanelli as the Scarlets secured another maximum haul.
The home side had the bonus-point in the bag by half-time, but by no means the game as Connacht played with ambition and skill.
In front of Wales coach Warren Gatland, wing Steff Evans had another outstanding evening, crossing for a try and having a hand in a couple of others, while Jonathan Davies was a huge presence in midfield.
The Scarlets had their issues at the scrum and line-out and were exposed defensively on occasions, but their 12-month unbeaten league record at Parc y Scarlets continues.
After a mixed start to the season under new coach Kieran Keane, the manner of Connacht’s performance came as a surprise as the Irish province went punch for punch in the entertainment stakes, particularly in the opening 40 minutes.
The Scarlets were up and running inside seven minutes. Lions centre Davies put a dent in the Connacht midfield before offloading to wing Johnny McNicholl, who did well to cross for his fifth try of the campaign.
Home fans barely had time to digest the score before Connacht were level, thanks to a horrible pass from Scott Williams, which was snapped up by flyhalf Jack Carty, who crossed at the posts
Back came the Scarlets with a second that was all down to man of the match Steff Evans, who picked up the ball, cut inside and raced 45 metres unopposed to the line.
A Carty penalty reduced the arrears before the Scarlets were celebrating a third try through Rhys Patchell, with Evans providing a one-handed assist.
However, Connacht were in no mood to bow to the champions and responded with a try double through wings Tiernan O’Halloran and Cian Kelleher which stunned Parc y Scarlets.
But there was still time for a seventh try of the half and it arrived through Halfpenny after Davies had freed Steff Evans once again down the touchline.
The second half continued in similar vein, but it wasn’t until the 58th minute that the first points were scored, through the boot of Halfpenny.
Connacht looked like they had secured a share of the spoils when O’Halloran juggled then dived over for his second of the night.
However, Carty failed with a relatively straightforward conversion, and with two minutes on the clock Beirne ripped the ball out of the grasp of Steff Evans to charge over.