SCARLETS PAY BIG PRICE FOR A SLOW START
THE Scarlets fell to another defeat as they were comfortably beaten by Connacht in Galway.
It was a better performance from the West Walians, but they are still a long way off where they need to be.
They were made to pay for a slow start as they found themselves 19-0 behind after just 24 minutes. Dwayne Peel’s side fought back but left themselves with too much to do.
The Scarlets were playing into a swirling wind for the first 40 minutes and were on the back foot from the off as they slipped off several tackles in midfield.
Peel’s side conceded their first try after seven minutes when Connacht tighthead Jack Aungier bumped off Alex Craig before sprinting 35 metres upfield to put scrum-half Caolin Blade over with JJ Hanrahan adding the extras.
Connacht were full of confidence, running the ball from deep, and quickly found themselves camped in the Scarlets 22. After a period of sustained pressure, a neat pass from Cian Prendergast put Eoin de Buitlear over for their second try.
The Scarlets defence was falling off too many simple tackles with Connacht inside centre Cathal Forde causing havoc in midfield.
Connacht continued to pressurise the Scarlets and crossed for their third try when No. 8 Sean Jansen powered his way over from close range with Hanrahan converting.
To their credit, the Scarlets responded with a well-worked try.
Whenever the visitors were able to keep hold of the ball they looked dangerous and after finding Vaea Fifita on the edge, the former All Black broke clear to put scrum-half Efan Jones over for a try on his first competitive start for the Scarlets.
Dan Jones converted but the Scarlets found themselves under pressure for the final 10 minutes of the first half, though their defence in their own 22 was a lot tighter.
Connacht wing Andrew Smith had a try disallowed for a knock-on while Jac Price and Sam Lousi also saved what seemed two certain tries, meaning the hosts held a 19-7 lead at the interval.
The Scarlets began the second half well, and came close to scoring their second try with Eddie James and Fifita prominent, but they had to settle for three points from Jones’ boot.
Former Wales and Lions prop Wyn Jones was having a prominent game, giving Connacht a tough time at the scrum. But the Scarlets made a mess of two attacking line-outs five metres out from the Connacht line.
The game was settled when home No. 8 Jensen claimed the bonuspoint try. Having gone to the TMO, it looked obvious Denis Buckley had knocked the ball forward, but even so the referee proceeded to award the try.