Scarlets (13) 23
Tries: Macleod, Page Cons: Costelow (2) Pens: Costelow (3)
Glasgow (0) 0
Scarlets had been winless in their opening four league outings, but despite showing a depleted lineup against the 2024 champions would play their best rugby of the season.
Returning captain Macleod and centre Macs Page would both cross for the hosts, whilst fly-half Sam Costelow impressed, punishing the visitors’ ill-discipline with 13 points from the boot.
With many of their offensive players away on Wales duty, head coach Dwayne Peel had to look to academy players to fill the void, and they looked every bit at home against the Scottish outfit.
The Scarlets boss, however, would welcome back experienced internationals Macleod, Ryan Elias, and Jake Ball to the fold, along with Eddy James, to a team mixed with a blend of youth and experience.
Glasgow started brightly, but would show poor execution early on, with their driving maul denied by the impressive Max Douglas. Scarlets would settle, and with confidence gained, took the initiative to open the scoring.
A well-taken five-metre lineout paving the way for Macleod to drive over.
Winning the physical battle with the Scots, the error count would mount with Costelow excellent off the tee to add a penalty to his previous conversion to extend the home side’s advantage. The Wales fly-half sinking a second kick to leave the half-time advantage at 13-0.
Glasgow improved after the break, but lacked fluidity and execution in their play with further mistakes costing Franco Smith’s side dear.
A steel of possession seeing Costelow place an excellent cross-field kick to create an opening for the second try of the game.
The returning Tomi Lewis gleefully gathered before stepping inside the last defender before unselfishly finding Page in support to dot down.
After turning down other kickable penalties in search of a third try, Scarlets went for posts on 65 minutes to extend their lead, Costelow continuing a flawless night from the tee.
Peel’s side were reduced to 14 players with 10 minutes with the only blip to an excellent performance when replacement Harvey Cuckson was shown a yellow after a string of offside offences.
But even with the numerical advantage, Glasgow could not find a way through as the Scarlets’ defence held out to earn a crucial morale-boosting victory.
Scarlets collect their first points of the campaign, but remain bottom of the table, having played one fewer game than their rivals, while Glasgow drop to fifth.
Scarlets XV: J Davies; Badham, Page, James, Lewis, Costelow, G Davies; Mathias, Elias, Holz, Ball, Lousi, Douglas, Macleod (captain), Anderson
Replacements: Van der Merwe, S O’Connor, H Thomas, Cuckson, Davis, Blacker, Leggatt-Jones, McDonald.
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
