The Scarlets won their second match of the EPCR Challenge Cup campaign as they overpowered the Toyota Cheetahs in the first half to win 45-26 despite a spirited second-half comeback by the Toyota Cheetahs.
The Toyota Cheetahs started like a house on fire and scored the first try of the match after just 2 minutes of play. However, thereafter the Scarlets started to dominate and scored two great tries to lead 17-07 going into the second quarter of the match.
The Cheetahs will find it almost impossible to come back from the 07-38 scoreline with the Scarlets clinical and brutal in the first half. However, one must mention the brilliant attacking mindset and handling from the Scarlets as they outscored the Toyota Cheetahs five tries to one.
The Toyota Cheetahs looked a lot better in the third quarter, however, the defence of the Scarlets combined with bad decision-making by the Toyota Cheetahs has kept the scoreboard quiet as no points were scored in the third quarter.
Two tries in quick succession by the Toyota Cheetahs in the third quarter were just reward for the Toyota Cheetahs' efforts as the game opened up a lot. The Scarlets still led 38-19 with 10 minutes left to play. The Toyota Cheetahs threatened to do the impossible, however, the Scarlets took control during the last seven minutes and scored a late try to secure a 45-26 win.
Scorers:
Toyota Cheetahs: Tries: Munier Hartzenberg, Rynard Fortuin, Daniel Kasende, Friedle Olivier. Conversions: Ruan Pienaar (3).
Scarlets: Tries: Steff Evans (2), Ryan Conbeer, Johnny McNicholl, Sam Lousi, Ken Owens. Conversions: Sam Costelow (6). Penalty: Sam Costelow.
How it happened:
02:20 Munier Hartzenberg ran a great line to score the Toyota Cheetahs' first try of the match. (07-00)
06:40 Sam Costelow converted a penalty for the Scarlets. (07-03)
11:16 Steff Evans scored the Scarlets' first try after a brilliant and patient build-up by the Scarlets resulting in an easy try in the corner. (07-10)
18:09 Brilliant handling by the Scarlets gave Steff Evans space to score his try in the corner. (07-17)
22:35 Ryan Conbeer scored a brilliant try after brilliant handling by the backline of Scarlets. (07-24)
25:23 Johnny McNicholl scored the bonus point try after just 25 minutes of play. (07-31)
39:11 An intercept by Sam Lousi saw him running 50m to score the Scarlets' fifth try. (07=38)
53:44 Vaea Fifita (Scarlets) was shown a yellow card.
63:31 Rynard Fortuin goes over in the corner. (12-38)
66:45 Daniel Kasende scored the Toyota Cheetahs' third try. The Toyota Cheetahs attacked the blindside with great effect as the final pass to Kasende and set him up for an "easy" try in the corners. (19-38)
73:19 Friedle Olivier scored the Toyota Cheetahs' fourth and bonus point try. The Toyota Cheetahs at this stage ran riot as defenders of the Scarlets struggled to keep up. (26-38)
77:59 Ken Owens scored a try for the Scarlets from the back of a 5 lineout-maul. (26-45)
Teams:
Cheetahs: 15. Tapiwe Mafura, 14. Daniel Kasende, 13. David Brits, 12. David Brits, 11. Munier Hartzenberg, 10. Siyabonga Masuku, 9. Ruan Pienaar, 8. Jeandre Rudolph, 7. Friedle Olivier, 6. Daniel Maartens, 5. Victor Sekekete (c), 4. Rynier Bernardo, 3. Aranos Coetzee, 2. Marko Janse van Rensburg, 1. Schalk Ferreira. Replacements: 16. Louis van der Westhuizen, 17. Mzamo Majola, 18. Hencus van Wyk, 19. Mzwanele Zito, 20. Sibabalo Qoma, 21. Rewan Kruger, 22. Robert Ebersohn, 23. Cohen Jasper
Scarlets: 15. Johnny McNicholl, 14. Steff Evans, 13. Ioan Nicholas, 12. Scott Williams, 11. Ryan Conbeer, 10. Sam Costelow, 9. Dane Blacker, 8. Vaea Fifita, 7. Joshua Macleod (c), 6. Aaron Shingler, 5. Sam Lousi, 4. Sione Kalamafoni, 3. WillGriff John, 2. Ryan Elias, 1. Kemsley Mathias. Replacements: 16. Ken Owens, 17. Steff Thomas, 18. Javan Sebastian, 19. Tom Price, 20. Tomas Lezana, 21. Kieran Hardy, 22. Rhys Patchell, 23. Leigh Halfpenny.
