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.
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.
Denne historien er fra September 03, 2017-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra September 03, 2017-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen
HOOKER Ieuan Morris came off the bench to settle matters for Ebbw Vale at Carmarthen Quins with his stunning second half hat-trick completing a 39-11 victory in Super Rygbi Cymru.
Joe keen to follow in family footsteps
JOE Ford is leading the charge to take Doncaster Knights to the promised land but says they have a long way to go before that becomes reality.
Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry
COVENTRY ended the first five-match block of fixtures as the Championship’s only unbeaten side and full-back Charlie Robson has his sights set on promotion, and eventually playing for England.
Hancox joins the 200 club
AFTER 10 years of donning the red, black and yellow shirt for Bournemouth, skipper Grant Hancox made his 200th appearance this month after their Regional 2 South Central clash against Winchester.
Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under
FORMER Cornish Pirates back row Bear Williams has flourished in making the difficult transition from rugby union to league and has plans to play in Australia’s NRL. `
To play in two World Cups was a dream
RUGBY started quite late for me.
Call time on this pantomime ploy
THIS 60-second shot clock twaddle. If we must continue to plough down this blind alley it needs to apply from the moment the referee awards the penalty. If the authorities are going to put some stick about at least do it properly and with conviction.
Coetzee's pulling his weight again
WHETHER he starts or comes off the bench, Jaco Coetzee is just happy to be contributing fully to Bath’s revival after an injury-hit start to his career in blue, black and white.
Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...
BLAIR Murray began the week ‘in a state of shock’ at having gone from nowhere on one side of the world to the starting grid for the autumn Tests on the other.
We need to kick on after winning at last
Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run
