Most eyes were trained towards Paris on Saturday night for their weekend rugby fix, but some hard core types had already enjoyed a Friday night starter where Liam Williams was in action. Well, “enjoyed” might be putting it strongly. Harri Morgan watched the Scarlets win 10-3 at Benetton and learned some life lessons.
It was the type of game that would have left fans lodging requests for a refund – had there been any. What? Oh, they’re allowed fans in stadia in Italy. Lucky them.
On the home front, as we enter the firebreak – a concept we hope is more a case of lost keys than long term lockdown – a return to live sport doesn’t appear close. Unlucky us.
In our mind’s eye, our return to the stands is likely features all the glorious elements that we associate with live sport at its finest – even the lager has some life in it.
In fact, the ideal that we long for would probably be the exact reverse of the experience of those ‘fortunate enough’ to have attended the Stadio Comunale di Mongo for the Pro 14 fixture between Benneton Rugby and Scarlets.
The biggest, and perhaps only compliment that you can pay to the game plans of both sides, is that they were suitable for the conditions. It rained.
Both teams entered round three of the regular season with the W column on the ladder occupied by a doughnut, the ring variety.
🗞️ It wasn’t pretty, but plenty of character on show. Match report from Treviso as Scarlets hold on to claim a gutsy 10-3 victory over Benetton #BENvSCA #GuinnessPRO14 👊
Report ▶️ https://t.co/FXzgK24EQ5 pic.twitter.com/2aGoeXvy90
— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) October 23, 2020
For the Scarlets, the away defeat up in Glasgow may have been a result they could reconcile with their cunning plan for the season.
The home loss to Munster, not so much. Particularly, the defeat from jaws of victory nature of the opening day outcome.
Whilst going zero from three isn’t season over, it certainly leaves you playing catch up.
So, with the context of the weather and the result over performance mentality that weighed on both sides, we should never have expected a classic.
The paradox of professional sport, in particular rugby union, as an entertainment industry is that for the protagonists, performance and results often conflict.
Friday night was one of those nights. A win at all costs job.
From a Scarlets’ perspective, it was blatant from the get-go that they didn’t have designs on running away with this one.
They had no designs on running at all. Not with ball in hand, anyway.
A scrappy game was claimed by @scarlets_rugby late on in Treviso for their first win 👊@BenettonRugby put up a dogged fight but it just slipped away…#GuinnessPRO14 highlights ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/L3vODcZNH3
— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) October 23, 2020
In possession, it had been determined variety would mean a combination of box kicks, Garryowens and long punts.
Half backs, Dane Blacker and Angus O’Brien knew the script and read it back word for word.
Without the ball, tackles would have to be made. Discipline would need to be tight.
That explains how with 10 minutes to go the score was locked up a three each. Jeez, Patrick Bamford of Leeds United might have fancied himself in this one.
If you tracked my engagement in the game, the last ten minutes would have seen a notable spike. Justifiably so.
When Angus O’Brien sent a grubber down the touch line and into the Benneton 22, the best outcome looked to be a ruck penalty, but he backed the effort of the chase up with the presence of mind to utilise the conditions and slide past the leading Benneton chaser to regain possession.
From the ruck it was all about shifting the point of attack. The Scarlets’ forwards made the catch and pass look simple, before Paul Asquith chucked in a moment of quality with a long flat one to an unmarked Tyler Morgan on the wing.
Big, big scrum performance from Phil Price on his 50th appearance. Smiles all round👊 pic.twitter.com/A75AjlhIRM
— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) October 23, 2020
Morgan completed the one-two with Asquith, with the replacement crossing for the try – a score that was ruled good after the ‘check-check’ found in favour of the visitors with a suspicion that flat ball was perhaps forward.
Job done? Not quite.
The next TMO intervention didn’t end so favourably for the Scarlets. Referee Andrew Brace worked his way through the framework to correctly conclude that a tackle from replacement lock Morgan Jones had started high and connected with the head with force.
You’re always walking for that. A second red card for the Scarlets in three matches. That’s one to address.
In the hunt for performance positives the Scarlets’ analysts would do well to focus on the final six minutes.
🎂 Happy Birthday to our president, the one and only Phil Bennett! Have a great day from everyone at @scarlets_rugby
Penblwydd Hapus Phil wrth bawb yma yn y Scarlets 🌟 #benny pic.twitter.com/CiFjKEWavQ
— Scarlets Rugby (@scarlets_rugby) October 24, 2020
Coaching staff often talk of effort and desire as non-negotiable characteristics they expect from their team.
The defensive effort from the Scarlets in the closing minutes was the embodiment of that as they stuck repel on repeat.
It was the type of team building moments that can’t be achieved by shooting paint balls.
As fans our entertainment expectations are driven by ideals. But for those involved, for those whom this is a livelihood, reality has a habit of getting in the way.
This game was a product of that reality.
