A first-half hat-trick by centre Joe Westwood helped the Dragons sign off with the victory in Newport as both sides showcased a host of Wales stars in their final preparation match before the big United Rugby Championship kick off at the end of the month.
The Scarlets were a long way off their best in an error-strewn performance, with head coach Dwayne Peel hoping his side shakes away their pre-season rust before their Championship opener against Munster on September 27.
In an open, free-flowing game, Wales back-row Taine Plumtree had opened the scoring for the Scarlets after eight minutes, crossing following nice work by Joe Hawkins and Ioan Nicholas – a late change to the starting line-up after Blair Murray suffered a back spasm in the warm-up.
Dragons would respond immediately, with captain Angus O’Brien crossing to level the scores, before Westwood scored the first of his tries out wide to move the Men of Gwent ahead.
The Scarlets hit back just after the half-hour mark, with Wales wing Ellis Mee latching onto Gareth Davies’ chip to race away.
Westwood hit a sharp line for his second, then made the most of Scarlets failing to deal with a hack downfield to claim his third, ensuring it was Filo Tiatia’s side that went into half-time in front 26-14.
First, centre Aneurin Owen put the centre through a gap to score.
Then, the hat-trick came following an offload from loan signing Mackenzie Martin.
Worryingly for Dwayne Peel, the Scarlets lost forwards Jake Ball and Harry Thomas to injury in the opening 40 minutes.
With both sides making several changes, it was the home side who struck first in the second-half. Feeding off Scarlets ill-discipline, Wales U20s captain Harry Beddall touched down on the back of a driving maul.
Former Dragons scrum-half Dane Blacker, back at the Scarlets for a second spell, reduced the deficit after Jarrod Taylor picked off a pass and, with eight minutes left, Nicholas set up a nervy finish after gathering Ioan Jones’ kick through.
It would not be enough, though, for Peel’s side as the Dragons held on to record the victory.
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
