Majestic Scarlets Put Kings To Sword

IT WAS a baptism of fire for new PRO14 recruits the Southern Kings as they found the reigning champions in no mood to relinquish their crown.

- Rob Cole

Wayne Pivac’s men simply picked up where they had left off in May with their devastating final victory over Munster in Dublin as they ran in six second half tries, and eight in total, to lay down a marker for the new season.

New recruit Leigh Halfpenny scored 14 points on debut, including a first-half try, but it was Johnny McNicholl who stole the show with his strong running and two tries. He picked up the man of the match award after making 203 metres with the ball.

Scarlets made 770 metres from 158 runs and 248 passes. That led to a weakening of the defensive resolve in the Kings ranks and when their guard dropped, the home side went in for the kill.

The curiosity surrounding the Kings attracted 3,000 more fans to Parcy Scarlets for the first game of this season than last.

They were given plenty to shout about, too, although the Kings stunned the locals into silence in the 12th minute when they took a 7-5 lead.