Peel admits frustration after derby stalemate
DWAYNE Peel was left frustrated as the Scarlets saw victory snatched fron their grasp in the dying seconds of their United Rugby Championship opener.
The West Walians battled back strongly at Parc y Scarlets, but a Rhys Davies try – and a Jack Walsh conversion with the last kick of the game – ensured the Ospreys left with a share of the spoils.
“It was very disappointing and the boys are disappointed in the changing room,” said the Scarlets head coach.
“We were poor in the first half. For that first 30 minutes we were rusty, off the pace and our line-out and set-piece didn’t function.
“We managed to keep them out for that final 10 minutes of the half which was important because we could have been 20 points down at half-time.
“In the second half I thought we were pretty dominant, when we upped the pace and tempo we looked good;.
“The disappointing part was that, when we were 23-16 up, we were camped in their 22 but didn’t come away with anything.
“Big games are about moments and we had three moments in those final minutes that cost us.
“It was tough to take, having fought back well and showing real character.
“We played exactly how we wanted to, at speed, but in those big moments we were not accurate enough.”
Opposite number Toby Booth was left with mixed feelings after seeing his side stage a dramatic late rally.
He said: “I have mixed feelings.
“There is a lot of pride in that. “To muscle our way up the field 80 metres to score and give us the chance of the draw is a massive credit to the players and their efforts.
“What we need to look at is when in the first half, when I felt we were in control, how we then went to 30 minutes when we weren’t.”