SCARLETS’ AGONY AFTER LATE SCORE
THE Scarlets fell agonisingly short of securing the Welsh Shield and Champions Cup qualification with a last-gasp defeat to the Stormers at Parc y Scarlets.
Needing a victory to surpass the Ospreys, tries from Johnny Williams and Ryan Conbeer had put them in contention - with the scores level heading into the final few minutes.
However, Dwayne Peel’s side would be denied top-tier European rugby for next season as the Stormers scored at the death to ensure it was the Ospreys who will be playing in the Champions Cup next year.
The Scarlets had started with intent. After just eight minutes, they were 10 points to the good.
The reliable boot of Sam Costelow had opened the scoring from the tee, before a try of real quality stretched them further ahead.
From a lineout in their own half, Gareth Davies chipped over the blitzing Stormers defence into acres of space behind.
Jonathan Davies, having been overlooked by Wales coach Wayne Pivac earlier in the week, was first to it, before feeding Williams, one of the men selected ahead of him for a Welsh centre spot, to race over for the opening try.
The away side, seeking to secure their own status as South Africa’s highest-placed side, didn’t take long to hit back.
The dangerous Hacjivah Dayimani slipped off a couple of poor tackling attempts to release Leolin Zas with a neat offload.
Despite having Tom Rogers in front of him, the try was a mere formality - with Zas wrongfooting the Scarlets full-back to score.
The boot of Costelow kept the Scarlets out in front, building a solid firsthalf lead. However, the away side began to wrestle back some control through their relentless carrying.
And tries either side of half-time put them ahead.
Evan Roos crashed over from close range just before half-time to reduce the gap to two after a series of brutal carries.
Then, just a minute after the break, Ruhan Nel waltzed over after the Scarlets’ midfield was caught too narrow defending a lineout.
From there, the scoring slowed down a little – with nothing more before the hour-mark.
However, just before the clock reached 60 minutes, the away side were reduced to 14 as Deon Fourie was sin-binned for a high hit on Kieran Hardy.
Moments later, both the Scarlets and Wales suffered a blow as Rhys Patchell, fresh from being named in a first Wales squad in two years, departed injured – mere minutes after coming on as a replacement.
His chances of touring South Africa now look in the balance, while it left Peel’s side with centre Williams at flyhalf for the final quarter.
Despite that disadvantage, the Scarlets kept pushing and relentless pressure saw Conbeer cross out wide to level the scores.
However, makeshift kicker Liam Williams couldn’t add the conversion from out wide. Shortly after, Johnny Williams departed for a HIA - allowing Costelow to return as they pushed for victory.
However, it was the Stormers who had the final say – confirming the Scarlets’ fate with a winning try from Nel at the death.