Shield hopes ended in semi preview

GLASGOW WARRIORS ..... 12 SCARLETS ............................ 9

A MUCH-CHANGED Scarlets side fell to a narrow defeat to Glasgow in awful conditions as their slim hopes of the Welsh Shield were ended in Scotland.

Three penalties from Dan Jones had given Dwayne Peel’s team a chance of defeating the side that they’ll face in the Challenge Cup semi-final at the end of the month, but the Scottish side’s power shone through in the rain.

Both sides made changes following their Challenge Cup quarter-final wins last week, with the Scarlets making 11 changes and Glasgow making just one less.

Peel’s side made the better start, though, with a period of sustained pressure resulting in two early penalties for Jones.

However, as the first-half wore on, the power of the Glasgow pack started to take control.

After a few missed opportunities, Sione Vailanu powered over from a close-range lineout. However, the Scarlets retained the lead going into half-time as Tom Jordan’s conversion went wide.

Jones extended the lead from the tee 10 minutes into the second-half after a penalty at the scrum.

However, minutes later, Glasgow’s dominance in that area resumed as normal – leading to their second try. A scrum penalty set up an attacking lineout that was driven over the line, with Fraser Brown scoring.

The Scarlets thought they had won it 10 minutes from time when Vaea Fifita raced away from 80 metres for a stunning score. However, the TMO pulled it up for the second-row being offside before spotting the ball was out of the ruck.

GLASGOW: Huw Jones; Kyle Steyn (capt), Stafford McDowall, Sam Johnson, Cole Forbes;

Tom Jordan, Ali Price; Jamie Bhatti, Johnny Matthews, Zander Fagerson, Lewis Bean, JP du Preez, Ryan Wilson,

Matt Fagerson, Sione Vailanu. Replacements: Fraser Brown, Nathan McBeth, Simon Berghan, Richie Gray, Scott Cummings, Rory Darge, Jamie Dobie, Domingo Miotti.

SCARLETS: Tom Rogers; Steff Evans, Ioan Nicholas, Eddie James, Ryan Conbeer; Dan Jones, Kieran Hardy; Wyn Jones, Shaun Evans, Sam Wainwright, Morgan Jones, Vaea Fifita,

Iwan Shenton, Josh Macleod (capt), Carwyn Tuipulotu. Replacements: Daf Hughes,

Steff Thomas, Javan Sebastian, Aaron Shingler, Iestyn Rees, Dane Blacker, Rhys Patchell, Joe Roberts.

REFEREE: Andrew Brace (IRFU)