By David Williams
Dwayne Peel believes his Scarlets teams have answered questions over their character with their victory at Cardiff – although he knows there are tougher examinations to come.
The head coach saw his team gain a bonus point 29-23 win at the Arms Park, where home flanker Ellis Jenkins was sent off for a dangerous tackle after 28 minutes.
It’s a result that bunches three of the Welsh regions together in the lower mid-reaches of the United Rugby Championship (URC) table with the Ospreys in 11th, Cardiff in 12th and the Scarlets 13th.
Both Cardiff and the Scarlets have won two of their seven matches so far this season, while the Ospreys have managed three.
The Dragons, meanwhile, are rock bottom of the 16-team league after another heavy defeat in South Africa, this time against the Lions.
“It was a tough start for us which questioned the character of the team,” said Peel.
United Rugby Championship: Cardiff 23-29 Scarlets – Dwayne Peel’s side complete double https://t.co/QZNX11LAN6 pic.twitter.com/YzYml0HpTY
— Oom Rugby (@SpringboksFans) December 3, 2023
“We could have easily folded, we were under the pump and a lot of people had questioned us in the week, but we came back and scored some nice tries.
“Yeah, it’s been tough,” added Peel when asked about the last week. “Our fans love playing against the Ospreys and when you lose to them, it’s always a difficult one.
“I’m confident in this group. We’re working hard behind the scenes. We’ve had some tough places to go in the last couple of weeks. We’ve been to South Africa, Dublin and we’ve obviously been to the Liberty. They’re a good side.
“It was the manner of the defeat that hurt some boys and hurt ourselves as well so I’m glad to see the reaction this week. That’s the start now and we need to move on.
“We played some good stuff. We carried harder today and that gave our backs an opportunity to play. It was nice to see us moving the ball to the edges, that is the style of rugby we want to play.
“We’ve had a lot of away games and we’re away again next week (against Castres). I think it’s the fourth game in a row we’ll be away.
Johnny McNicholl 🔗 Gareth Davies
What a link up for @Scarlets_rugby to edge just ahead in Cardiff 🤩#BKTURC #URC | #CARvSCA pic.twitter.com/hGiH9bn67P
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) December 2, 2023
“We’ve been on the road a bit so it’s making sure that we’re right for next week and when we do get back to Parc y Scarlets, we’re right for that as well.”
Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt: said “We started the game on fire but the red card undoubtedly had a bearing on the game.
“To stick in it for just over 50 minutes with 14 men and get a point out of it shows the character of the team.
“I would not say I am pleased but it is the seventh game we have got something from this season.”
Peel had demanded a reaction from his players after their 31-9 west Wales derby defeat to the Ospreys and he got it.
The Scarlets head coach said he wanted to give the fans some thing to sing about and feel proud about, an four tries in a victory that made it a double over Cardiff this season.
FINAL SCORE | SGÔR TERFYNOL
🔵 Cardiff 23
🔴 Scarlets 29#CARvSCA #YmaOHyd pic.twitter.com/FRtiHjqmr6— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) December 2, 2023
It was only their second away win in the URC this year, with the other one coming the the same fixture in the Welsh capital in January.
Cardiff got off to a flying start and were two tries, and 14 points to the good in the opening 10 minutes as they picked up where they left off in beating the Stormers in their last game.
But after that fast start, they fell behind and then found themselves a man short when Jenkins was shown a red card by referee Ben Whitehouse for a dangerous tip tackle on opposite number Dan Davis in the 28th minute.
At that stage the home side were leading 14-12, the Scarlets cutting the deficit with the first of two tries by skipper and scrum half Gareth Davies, after a searing break by Johnny Williams, and another from Scottish lock Alex Craig. The excellent Ioan Lloyd converted the first.
No sooner than Jenkins had departed that Lloyd conjured up an opening that enabled Davies to race clear for his second try. Lloyd improved it off the tee and the Scarlets went into the break leading 19-14.
⭐Your #BKTURC Player of the Match ⭐
🏅Ioan Lloyd | @Scarlets_Rugby pic.twitter.com/Qf5sDvvr7g
— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) December 2, 2023
The 14-man Cardiff side came back out and dominated the third quarter and used two penalties from Tinus de Beer edged them ahead 20-19 on the hour mark. Yet no sooner had they hit the front than the Scarlets replied with a try on the left wing from Steff Evans.
Crisp handling create he overlap and the former wales wing dived in to score. Ten they struck on the opposite flank, Lloyd sending in Johnny McNicholl to open up a nine point gap with 10 minutes to play.
De Beer then salvaged a losing bonus-point with a penalty success in the 76th minute, but it was the Scarlets fans who were bursting with pride at the final whistle.
