Clinical Scarlets march into final in fine style
GLASGOW Tries: J. Gray, N. Grigg. Pen: F. Russell. 13 SCARLETS Tries: R. Patchell, G. Davies, R. Evans, K. Owens. Cons: Patchell (4). 28
THE Scarlets are heading to Dublin for another Guinness PRO14 Grand Final after a superb first-half display laid the platform for victory over Glasgow at a packed-out Scotstoun.
The defending champions will face either 2017 opponents Munster or their Champions Cup conquerors Leinster at the Aviva Stadium next Saturday after becoming the first side to win at the Warriors’ home in the competition this season.
The platform was laid in a dominant opening 40 minutes thanks to tries from man of the match Rhys Patchell, Gareth Davies and Rob Evans.
They had to withstand a spirited Glasgow rearguard in the second period, but were never really under threat of losing their lead.
Based on a strong forward platform spearheaded by the outstanding Evans and skipper Ken Owens, the Scarlets took a grip on the lastfour tie from the first whistle.
They were disciplined, made their tackles and took their opportunities in clinical fashion – a stark contrast to their hosts, who failed to rise to the occasion in the first half.
The Warriors were far better after the break, but the mountain proved too big to climb, especially after Owens was driven over early in the second half to make it 28-3.
The Scarlets deserve huge credit for the way they have bounced back from their European exit at the hands of Leinster last month.
And Wayne Pivac’s side now have a chance to exact some revenge at the same venue.
Glasgow had gone into the match unbeaten at Scotstoun in the PRO14 this season with no side having left the ground with a losing bonus point to their name.
But with last season’s historic semi-final away win at the RDS still stored in the memory, the Scarlets arrived with a real swagger.
From a lively initial attack, Evans won a scrum penalty for his side and after opting for an attacking line-out, the Scarlets’ pack laid the platform for the game’s opening try after just three-and-a-half minutes.
Patchell was the scorer, fending off the challenge of Warriors centre Nick Grigg before diving over close to the posts.
The fly-half added the extras and the Scarlets came close again moments later only for Glasgow to win a penalty on their own line.
In a breathless opening, both sides looked to keep the ball alive and it meant the game was being played at a relentless tempo.
The Scarlets lost John Barclay to an ankle injury on 10 minutes; the Scotland skipper given a standing ovation by the Scotstoun crowd.
Russell clawed back three points for the Warriors, but it was a brief respite as the Scarlets took a firm control of the match.
The second try was a trademark effort.
The damage was done by Wales centre Scott Williams, who broke through, cut inside and then fed scrum-half Davies, who was on a familiar tracking line to the posts.
Davies still had to beat his former team-mate DTH van der Merwe, but he did that with ease to cross.
With the champions enjoying the ascendancy up front and playing a clever territorial game, they were soon celebrating their third try.
A loose clearance kick allowed Johnny McNicholl to counter; he fed Steff Evans, the winger’s inside pass found Gareth Davies – and who was on the scrum-half ’s inside? None other than loose-head Evans, who trotted over for his first ever league try.
With the influential Patchell converting for a third time, the Scarlets appeared to already have one foot in another Dublin final at 21-3.
A forward pass denied the lively George Horne a retaliatory score for the hosts, then a brilliant steal from Aaron Shingler defused an attacking line-out on the stroke of half-time.
The message at half-time from Pivac would have been same again and his players duly delivered at the start of the second period.
After another threatening attack, Steff Evans was held up, but Grigg illegally disrupted the move and was shown yellow.
From the penalty, Scarlets went for the corner and the ensuing drive resulted in skipper Owens touching down.
A short-range try from Scotland lock Jonny Gray, gave the Warriors a semblance of hope with 20 minutes remaining.
Gray then thought he had another after getting a hand on the ball when he thought it was on the Scarlets line, but replays showed there were millimetres in it and ruled in the Scarlets’ favour.
The television match official was involved again when the strong-running Grigg rolled over on 71 minutes and this time the score was awarded.
However, replacement Rob Horne, inexplicably missed the straightforward conversion and the gap was 15 points instead of 13.
Glasgow continued to throw everything at the Scarlets, but they were unable to make any further inroads and the Scarlets have again achieved what no other side have – winning an away semi-final play-off. Dublin awaits again.
Glasgow: S. Hogg; T. Seymour, N. Grigg, S. Johnson, DTH van der Merwe; F. Russell (repl R. Horne 71), G. Horne (repl H.Pyrgos 40-49, 67); J. Bhatti (repl A. Allen 55), F. Brown (repl G. Turner 70), Z. Fagerson (repl S. Halanukonuka 25), T. Swinson, J. Gray, M. Fagerson, R. Wilson (capt; repl R. Harley 55), C. Gibbins.
Scarlets: J. McNicholl; T. Prydie, S. Williams, H. Parkes (repl S. Hughes 73), S. Evans; R. Patchell (repl D. Jones 73) G. Davies (repl J. Evans 62); R. Evans (repl W. Jones 48), K. Owens (capt; repl R. Elias 63), S. Lee (repl W. Kruger 55), T. Beirne, S. Cummins (repl W. Boyde 73), A. Shingler, J. Barclay (repl L. Rawlins 10), James Davies.
Referee: John Lacey (IRFU) Attendance: 10,000
Yellow card: Grigg (47)