Recent winning Glasgow run shattered by second-half Scarlets show

The Scarlets triumphed 35-10 over Glasgow in Llanelli to bring the visitors’ five-match winning run in the United Rugby Championship to an end. Tries from Steff Evans, Scott Williams, Gareth Davies, Sione Kalamafoni and Ryan Conbeer earned the Scarlets their first win in five games in all competitions. Rhys Patchell, Evans and Sam Costelow also kicked ten points between them.

All Glasgow could muster was a try from Johnny Matthews and five points from the boot of Duncan Weir - but it took then just five minutes to breach the Scarlets defence with hooker Matthews powering over from short range courtesy of a well-worked driving lineout. 

Weir added the extras, but the Scarlets hit back with a period of pressure in the Glasgow half. It ultimately came to nothing when they were penalised at a five-metre lineout and Glasgow, who controlled the majority of the first half, extended their lead through Weir’s boot.

The Scarlets attack finally clicked with a lovely flick from Patchell releasing Davies, who sliced open the Glasgow defence. The Wales scrum-half drew in the last defender to give wing Evans a clear run in. Patchell added the extras, meaning the hosts trailed just 10-7 at half-time. 

The Scarlets then struck just after the break with a well-worked try. They spread the ball into the wide channels, with some nice handling from Blade Thomson, Dan Davis and Evans putting Williams over for the try. Patchell converted to nudge the Scarlets into the lead.

Glasgow thought they had scored after a tremendous break from full-back Ollie Smith, who made 40 metres before putting Jamie Dobie over, but the try was disallowed after the TMO spotted Ryan Wilson blocking Thomson from making a tackle. That proved costly for the visitors as Patchell drove the Scarlets deep into the Glasgow 22 from the resulting penalty, Wales number nine Davies beat three defenders to score his team’s third try.

Scarlets were now full of confidence and a tremendous break from Conbeer got behind the Glasgow defence before the wing put Kalamafoni over for the bonus-point try. Some lovely handling from Aaron Shingler, Carwyn Tuipulotu and Mark Jones then allowed Conbeer to show his pace as he touched down for his first score of the season.