In a nail-biting finale Wales wing Tom Rogers solo finish in the last ten minutes sealed a dramatic comeback victory as once again the Bulls discipline would cost them dear.
It would be a second successive victory for Scarlets following their victory against Cardiff last weekend, although they also drew their opening game of the campaign at Benetton and lost by a single point at home against Connacht.
It was also a first home win for Dwayne Peel’s side since March and a first victory in five attempts against South African opposition.
Having trailed 19-7 at the break after scores from centre Canan Moodie, scrum-half Zak Burger and wing Kurt-Lee Arendse, things looked ominous for Dwayne Peel’s side despite a finish for captain Josh Macleod.
Tremendous character, togetherness and heart from the West Wallians after the break would be the difference, and with man of the moment, wing Blair Murray reducing the scoreline straight after the re-start it would be game on to the thrill of the home support.
Much like in their previous contest against the Ospreys, the Bulls looked rattled as ill-discipline would set in once more.
Replacement hooker Johan Grobbelaar seeing red in the 67th minute by Italian referee Federico Vedovelli for a high and dangerous tackle on opposite number Marnus van der Merwe.
This would let the Scarlets in and after sustained pressure in the Bulls twenty-two, Rogers would capitilise from Sam Costelow’s long-crafted pass to dance his way to the try-line.
Spirited defence from the home team would see the clock run down and with time running out it would be the end of the Bulls unbeaten start to the season.
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said after the game:
“I am delighted with the result. It was a big performance.
“We have been building slowly, talking about competing hard and that is what we did tonight.
“It was a victory we deserved in the end. They had some big units in their team. We had a game plan to move them about a bit with a kicking game because we knew it was wet and would be greasy under foot.
“There were some big defensive sets and what we did well was when we had opportunities, we took them.
“The two wingers scoring outstanding tries helps the game. The squad effort was big and the bench was impactful.”
Scarlets XV:
Ioan Nicholas, Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Eddie James, Blair Murray, Ioan Lloyd, Gareth Davies
Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias, Henry Thomas, Alex Craig, Sam Lousi, Max Douglas, Josh Macleod (captain), Taine Plumtree.
Replacements:
Marnus van der Merwe, Alec Hepburn, Sam Wainwright, Jac Price, Dan Davis, Efan Jones, Sam Costelow, Macs Page.
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
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