Scarlets held to draw in Italy after late try denies Dwayne Peel's men big victory

-Credit: (Image: Huw Evans Agency)
-Credit: (Image: Huw Evans Agency)


The Scarlets came agonisingly close to a notably victory in Italy but a late try from Benetton wing Onisi Ratave meant they had to make do with a 20-20 draw.

Dwayne Peel's side led going into the final seven minutes of the game but were forced to defend as if their lives depended on it as Benetton lay siege to their try line. The Scarlets put in a brave defensive effort but in the end pressure told as Ratave sneaked in at the far right-hand corner.

Former England outside-half Jacob Umaga had a conversion to win the game but hooked it wide. However, it wasn't over yet as the Scarlets had time to take the restart. but instead of going for the win Benetton decided to take the draw; a sign of how well the Scarlets had played.

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The Scarlets started strongly and thought they had crossed for the opening try when Vaea Fifita raced clear downfield before putting Blair Murray over. But the try got chalked off after Dave Sutherland, the TMO, was of the opinion Fifita was offside because the ruck had been formed.

It was now Benetton's turn to apply some pressure and after laying siege to the Scarlets try line new signing Louis Lynagh spilled the ball forward with the try line at his mercy. But they didn't have to wait long to draw first blood when Onisi Ratave crossed at the far left-hand corner after a period of sustained pressure.

The hosts extended their lead in similar fashion with Rhyno Smyth touching down after Benetton had worked an overlap with Umaga adding the extras. The Scarlets threw their first punch at the stroke of half-time when a well-timed pass from Ellis Mee found Macs Page who beat four defenders to score. Lloyd added the extras meaning the Scarlets trailed 12-7 at the interval.

The Scarlets began the second-half well and had a second try disallowed when a cross-field kick from Taine Plumtree got gathered by Murray who brushed the touchline in the act of scoring. Umaga extended Benetton's lead soon after from the kicking tee on his second attempt after Scarlets tighthead Sam Wainwright for some unbeknown reason attempted to charge down a penalty.

Peel's side finally got their just rewards when all-action openside Jared Taylor powered over from short-range off the back of a well-worked driving lineout which Lloyd converted. All the momentum had swung the Scarlets' way and they took the lead for the first time in the game when Lloyd smashed over a penalty from 45 metres on the angle.

The Scarlets pack were now in the ascendancy and after a terrific break down the touchline by Gareth Davies led to a penalty which Lloyd knocked over from 35 metres. But there was to be one final twist in the tale as the Scarlets' discipline let them down which gave the hosts a chance to level the scores.