By David Williams
Scarlets skipper Josh Macleod scored two of his side’s five tries as they gained ample revenge for their European defeat to the Georgian side Black Lion as they won 36-18 t Parc Y Scarlets to move to six points in EPCR Challenge Cup Pool 3.
Gareth Davies, Johnny Williams and replacement scrum half Archie Hughes were the other try . Sam Costelow kicked 11 points to complete the job.
“It was the game we expected – a difficult and physical match. We started brightly before we let them back into the game,” said Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel.
“We collected ourselves well at half-time and we were clinical and that is the growth in this group. In the end it was job done and we got the five points.”
Scarlets avenge last season’s defeat to Black Lion with a 36-18 win in the Challenge Cup #BBCRugby pic.twitter.com/slTNKadSfI
— BBC ScrumV (@BBCScrumV) December 15, 2024
Peel’s men still have two games to play in the new year, against Gloucester at Kingsholm and Vannes at home, as they attempt to recreate the run that took them to the semi-finals two years ago.
The Scarlets got off to a flying start when a great run from Ellis Mee paved the way for Davies’ try in the second minute. Costelow’s conversion made it 7-0 before Black Lion outside half Luke Matkava kicked two penalties.
Matkava then picked up a yellow card for a high tackle on the onrushing Johnny Williams. That enabled the home aside to kick to the corner and Macleod was driven over for the second try.
The third came just before the half hour mark when Williams powered over at the posts and Costelow’s conversion opened up a 13 points gap at 19-6. Black Lion responded with a try from skipper and No 8 Luika Ivanishvili from a quick tap penalty.
“It was a good solid performance. We played together and we got the job done.”
Dwayne reacts to today’s EPCR Challenge Cup victory over Black Lion
Ymateb Dwayne i’r fuddugoliaeth yn erbyn Black Lion yn y Parc#ChallengeCupRugby #YmaOHyd pic.twitter.com/ZScJQYpHqd
— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) December 15, 2024
Just before the break Vaea Fifita had a charging run that took him over the line for what looked like the bonus point try, but the referee ruled in out after spotting an obstruction on the way.
If that was a bonus for the visitors as they changed ends only 19-11 adrift, the way they started the second half was a real dent to their hopes. Once again the officials were involved, this time adjudging second row Lado Chachanidze had lifted Macleod at a ruck and then dropped him on his head in a dangerous act.
That earned him a red card in the first minute after the re-start and moments later Macleod picked up his second try, and the bonus point, with another driving line out score. Costelow once again added the extras.
Scarlets lock Max Douglas was next to be sent to the touchline, shown yellow for a high challenge, and that helped back row man Sandro Mamamtavrishvili to dive over from a close range ruck for a try that Luka Tsirekidze converted to cut the gap to eight points.
The home side then finished with a flourish. After Costelow, playing his first game since leaving the field playing for Wales against South Africa in the final Autumn Nations Series game against South Africa, had kicked a penalty, Hughes went in for a fifth try that Costelow improved.
| We know you’ve been looking forward to this one!
An early recap on Player of the Match Huw Anderson’s game-sealing score!
Am gais unigol gan seren y gêm Huw Anderson wrth iddo selio’r fuddugoliaeth i’r Dreigiau! #WeAreGwentRugby | #NEWvDRA pic.twitter.com/vRr1YpXled
— Dragons RFC (@dragonsrfc) December 15, 2024
Former Wales U20 full back Huw Anderson marked his senior Dragons debut with a sensational try as he enabled Dan Lydiate to celebrate his 100th game for the ‘Men of Gwent’ with a 22-14 EPCR Challenge Cup win at Newcastle Falcons.
It was only the second win of the season for the Dragons and ended a seven match losing streak as interim head coach Filo Tiatia had a first win in charge to cheer.
It was their first win away from Rodney Parade since 22 April 2023 when they beat Scarlets at Principality Stadium at Judgement Day. It also brought them back into the picture for a possible trip into the Round of 16 after their narrow defeat to Montpellier in Round 1
Anderson’s moment of magic came on the hour mark when the 20-year-old ran 70 yards to put the seal on a much needed victory. Before his great run the Dragons were only 15-14 ahead, but his try, converted by the returning Cai Evans secured the win.
Clinicality the difference as Ospreys lose in Montpellier.
The boys now dust off ahead of a huge West Wales Derby fixture next weekend at the https://t.co/HsgsTwJv7s Stadium.
Full report: https://t.co/5S33PuP7jf #TogetherAsOne pic.twitter.com/Pc7Dws5pQD
— Ospreys (@ospreys) December 15, 2024
Argentina international prop Rodrigo Martinez grabbed a first try for the club as Dragons took a slender three-point lead into the break. Angus O’Brien added the conversion and then kicked a penalty, while Falcons responded with an Adam Radwan try improved by Kieran Wilkinson.
The home side wiped out their 10-7 deficit with a 46th minute try from Alex Hearle that Wilkinson again converted before Wales No 8 Aaron Wainwright crashed over to regain the lead by a single point.
That left Anderson to grab the headlines, although Rhodri Williams had a try chalked off – the second disallowed by the TMO against Dragons – but a well managed final 15 minutes enabled the visitors to halt a run of four successive victories for Steve Diamond’s Newcastle side.
Ospreys head coach Toby Booth admited his team were “not great” as they collapsed to a record European defeat in Montpellier.
At the venue where they won in the Champions Cup two years ago, there was no repeat as the Swansea region conceded a whopping nine tries in a shambolic display.
They did manage two tries of their own, but went down to a 59-15 Challenge Cup defeat and Booth said: “From an outcome point of view, it was not great at all.
“You can’t concede that many points and be happy.
“Sometimes you get beaten by a better team and you have to give credit to the opposition.
“We contributed to our own downfall and they piggy-backed up the field as we conceded penalty after penalty.
“We started the game pretty well from a field position point of view, but we gave them repeated opportunities in our 22 and it became a difficult afternoon.”
The Ospreys must now pick themselves up for a URC derby against the Scarlets in Swansea on Saturday.
