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Challenge Cup round-up: Scarlets beat Cheetahs, Dragons stay alive
By PA
Scarlets booked a European Challenge Cup round-of-16 place after beating South African side the Cheetahs 20-17 in Llanelli. The Pool B leaders posted a third successive win in this season’s competition, although they were given a thorough examination at Parc y Scarlets.
Cheetahs led by seven points midway through the third quarter before their opponents rallied. Wings Johnny McNicholl and Steff Evans scored tries for the Welsh side, while full-back Leigh Halfpenny kicked two penalties and two conversions.
Hooker Louis van der Westhuizen and wing Daniel Kasende touched down for the Cheetahs, with fly-half Siya Masuku adding two conversions and a penalty.
The Dragons kept alive their hopes of reaching the knockout phase with an impressive 21-15 victory over French challengers Pau at Stade du Hameau. Pau took an early lead through Daniel Ikpefan’s try that Thibault Debaaes converted, but Dragons quickly drew level through an Ashton Hewitt try, plus Will Reed’s conversion.
Reed also kicked two penalties and JJ Hanrahan one, while centre Max Clark scored a second Dragons try as Pau were restricted to a second-half Vincent Pinto touch down and a late Alex Desperes penalty that clinched a losing bonus-point.
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Latest Comments
Which country do you think was instrumental in developing rugby in Argentina which then spun off into the rest of Latin South America? South Africa was touring Argentine in the 50's with their Junior Bok side on three months development tours. And they didn't do it to cultivare players for the Boks. Regarding Africa you are not taking into account that South Africa itself is an emerging nation. The rugby union has prioritised the development of rugby in South African rural communities with outstanding success.
It has taken 15 years to build the participation of rugby both in playing and watching. For South Africa on its own to build a viable international rugby competition in africa will take generations - not decades. New Zealanders seem to resent the fact that SA has doubled the income of the URC since their inclusion. If New Zealand Rugby hadn't insisted on have a disproportionate slice of the pie in Super Rugby, SA might not have fled the coop.
Go to commentsDon't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
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