Scarlets (3) 16
Tries: Swart Cons: Costelow Pens: Costelow (3)
Benetton (13) 13
Tries: Ratave Cons: Umaga Pens: Umaga (2)
In a largely uninspiring contest with few chances, Fijian winger Jacob Umaga’s early score in the opening stages of the contest had looked to condemn Dwayne Peel’s side to defeat.
Late drama would unfold, however, with replacement hooker Eduan Swart driving over through a crowd of bodies deep into added time to roars of appreciation from the home faithful after winger Stef Evans had been denied moments earlier by TMO.
It would be a much-improved performance from the Scarlets, who would have their moments, particularly in the first-half, but would lack a clinical edge to open up their well-organised opposition.
Two missed kicks in that period from returning Wales fly-half Sam Costelow looked to have proven crucial to the scoreboard but come the final whistle in a game of fine margins Swart would be the match-winner to give the home side only their third win of the campaign.
The Scarlets came into the match looking to improve on what has been a tough start to 2024 with their last victory way back in December against Cardiff in the URC.
Improvements were made in the west Walians 26-10 defeat to Connacht in Galway last time out, but it would be a similar story as the Irish province would have too much, sealing a bonus point win with gas left in the tank.
With many of the Welsh region’s quota back from injury, there would be a sense of optimism from head-coach Dwayne Peel that his side could get back to winning ways. Veteran scrum-half Gareth Davies would captain the side, whilst Sam Costelow, Ioan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias and Tom Rogers would return to make up a strong home XV.
In their way though would be a Benetton outfit lying in the final play-off position of eighth after a stellar campaign that has seen the Italians exceed expectations.
The Green and Whites though would be missing several of their internationals as they looked to bounce back from back-to-back defeats to Leinster and Glasgow. Centre pairing Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello and national captain Michele Lamaro amongst several players rested after their exploits at the Six Nations win over Wales last weekend.
It would be the home side who would start the brightest, forcing an early error to take the lead through the boot of Costelow.
The visitors though would settle and enforce their physical presence on the opening stages and would score the afternoon’s first try. Fijian winger Ratave touching down in the corner after the play had been spread quickly following a period of pressure.
The Scarlets would grow with confidence as the half would progress and would defend resolutely but would fail to be clinical with possession in the opposition twenty-two.
Both Scottish lock Alex Craig and number eight Vaea Fifita going close but seeing stubborn Benetton defense snuff out promising attacks as the Green and White’s would hold a ten-point advantage at the break.
The Scarlets would start the second 40 in a positive fashion and would chip away at the Benetton lead punishing ill-discipline from the visitors. Costelow with a pair of penalties to reduce the Benetton advantage to within a score.
The half though would often be stop-started with the next score looking likely to be decisive either way.
That looked to have come the way of the home side with Evans crossing in a dramatic finish.
TMO intervention would deny the winger, but from the next phase of play deep into stoppage-time, the Scarlets driving maul would power over the try line. South African hooker Swart emerging with the ball to the delight of the crowd as the home side would snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Scarlets XV: Lloyd, Rogers (S Evans 68), J Davies (James 72), J Williams, Lewis, Costelow, G Davies (captain) (Hardy 47), Mathias (W Jones 53), S Evans, O’Connor (Wainwright 53), Craig, Lousi (Tipulotu 58), Leatherbarrow, D Davis, Fifita.
Benetton XV: R Smith, Mendy, Fekitoa, Drago, Ratave, Umaga, Uren, Zani, Maile, Ferrari (Pasquali 72), Iachizzi (Favewtto 62), Snyman (captain), Izekor, Halafihi, Cannone (Zuliani 45).
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
