Scarlets in 'double' defeat at the Rec
Sat, 23 Aug 2008 20:13
European Challenge Cup champions Bath won their second pre-season encounter on the trot when they beat Llanelli Scarlets 24-16 at the Rec on Saturday - adding the Welsh scalp to that of Irish province Ulster.
The Welsh side travelled to the Rec with a squad of 15 players for each half, while for the first time in many years, the 'rag doll' was not being played for. However, even the lack of the coveted cloth trophy, failed to prevent any lack of spirit or determination on either side.
The Scarlets took the early initiative, safe in the knowledge that they would only be playing for 40 minutes.
Ceiron Thomas, Jonathan Davies and Phil John worked well together pushing Bath inside their own 22 within the first five minutes and forcing a penalty chance. Flyhalf Ceiron Thomas stepped up to kick the first points of the new season at the Rec, successfully bisecting the uprights for a 3-0 lead.
Bath have forged a proud record at the Rec in recent seasons and responded well, aggressively marching towards the visitors’ territory. Swift interplay between Alex Crockett, Tom Cheeseman and Matt Banahan ensured that the ball was kept alive long enough for Banahan to make ground up the wing to get close to the Scarlets' 22. Bath were then given the chance to equalise as the Scarlets were penalised for not releasing the ball, and Shaun Berne rewarded his team’s efforts with three points.
After 26 minutes, Bath extended their lead, as new club captain Michael Lipman blasted over the line, despite repeated attempts by the Scarlets to clear the ball, taking the west country side to an 8-3 lead.
Berne missed the conversion attempt and a see-saw of points followed, as the Scarlets responded with a further three points courtesy of a Bath infringement. However, a penalty kick from Berne on the halfway line four minutes later, allowed the flyhalf to make up for his earlier error and secured a further three points, as he slotted the ball directly between the posts. The score remained at 11-6 to Bath at the interval.
Fielding an almost entirely different team to that seen in the first half, the fresh legs proved to give the Scarlets an advantage from the outset. A penalty kick after 46 minutes was successfully slotted over the sticks by Rhys Priestland, and was followed two minutes later by a try by centre Rob Higgit. The well aimed conversion took the Scarlets into the lead by five points and with rolling replacements, the Scarlets protected their advantage.
It was not until the final quarter that Bath began to break Welsh resistance.
With the Scarlets penalized for failing to roll away from the tackle, young fullback Jack Cuthbert continued with his good form displayed last season and made light work of a penalty kick to propel his side within two points of the leaders.
Sensing victory, it took Bath just two minutes to snatch the lead as Joe Maddock, who had returned to the fray for Matt Banahan, exploded midfield through the red defence and over the line, leaving a trail of Scarlets would be tacklers floundering in his wake.
Not satisfied with the lead, Cuthbert stepped up again at 68 minutes to make yet another good kick at the posts. Falling just inches over the bar, the successful kick pushed Bath into a lead of 24-16 to and even with their constant rotation of players, the Scarlets could not respond.
A break from Sililo Martens looked set to secure the Scarlets some much needed points in the dying minutes of the match, but characteristic strong defence by Bath prevented the men in red from finding the breakthrough and the Bath held firm for a 24-16 victory.
Scorers:
For Bath:
Tries: Lipman, Maddock
Cons: Berne
Pens: Berne 2, Cuthbert 2
Llanelli Scarlets:
Try: Higgit
Con:
Priestland
Pens: Thomas 2, Priestland
Teams:
Bath Rugby: 15 Nick Abendanon (Jack Cuthbert 41mins), 14 Joe Maddock (Andrew Higgins 41mins), 13 Alex Crockett (Tom Cheeseman 41mins, Alex Crockett 67mins), 12 Tom Cheeseman (Eliota Fuimaono 23mins), 11 Matt Banahan (Joe Maddock 60mins), 10 Shaun Berne, 9 Michael Claassens (Mike Baxter 67mins), 8 Jonny Faamatuainu, 7 Michael Lipman (captain, Pieter Dixon 73mins), 6 Peter Short, 5 Danny Grewcock (Justin Harrison 11mins, James Scaysbrook 44mins), 4 Stuart Hooper, 3 Duncan Bell (Matt Stevens 41mins), 2 Pieter Dixon (Rob Hawkins 67mins), 1 David Barnes (David Flatman 41mins).
Llanelli Scarlets: 15 Morgan Stoddard (Dan Evans 41mins), 14 Darren Daniel (Mark Jones 41mins), 13 Regan King (Rob Higgit 41mins), 12 Jonathan Davies (Gavin Evans 41mins), 11 Dafydd James (Nathan Brew 41mins), 10 Ceiron Thomas (Rhys Priestland 41mins), 9 Lee Williams (Silio Martens 31mins), 8 Nathan Thomas (David Lyons 41mins), 7 Gavin Thomas (Jonathan Edwards 41mins), 6 Dafydd Jones (Simon Easterby 41mins), 5 Simon Maling (Scott McLeod 41mins), 4 Lou Reed (Dominic Day 41mins), 3 Kees Meeuws (Deacon Manu 41mins), 2 Mo Schwalger (Matthew Rees 41mins), 1 Phil John (Iestyn THomas 41mins).
Referee: Sean Davey (RFU)
With thanks to Bath Rugby
