Edinburgh end-game scorches Scarlets
THE Scarlets are on the brink of missing out on qualification for next seasons Heineken Champions Cup as they were outmuscled by Edinburgh in Llanelli.
Wayne Pivac's side have two games left to save their season, against Zebre and the Dragons respectively, or they will become the first Llanelli side to not appear in European rugby's premier club competition.
They held a 12-0 halftime lead with Gareth Davies and Jonathan Davies crossing for scores but Edinburgh hit back with tries from Matt Scott and Jaco van der Walt to strengthen their play-off chances.
The Scarlets started the game like a house on fire as they forwards put them on the front foot.
Pivac's side's first try came as a result of Wales Grand Slam hero Hadleigh Parkes smashing over the gain line which produces quick ball for his side.
When the ball was spread wide Dan Jones set Halfpenny free with a lovely inside pass.
The Wales full back sliced through the Edinburgh defence before putting scrum half Davies over for the try.
Halfpenny converted and the Scarlets were rampant as they went back on the attack.
Former Crusaders Super Rugby star Johnny McNicholl put the hosts back on the front foot as he caught Edinburgh napping with a quickly taken drop out 22.
McNicholl raced into the visiting half before offloading to Gareth Davies.
The ball was spun wide to Steff Evans who skinned the Edinburgh cover defence before putting outside centre Davies over for a cracking score.
After winning a scrum penalty Edinburgh proceeded to lay siege to the Scarlets try line with a series of powerful driving lineouts.
With the Scarlets struggling to cope with their power they were forced to immediately sack the maul resulting in Ken Owens getting sin binned.
But Van der Walt missed the resulting penalty meaning the Scarlets turned around 12-0 to the good.
Edinburgh's pack began to turn the screw in the second-half as the Scarlets back division were starved of possession.
Van der Walt opened their account with a straightforward penalty.
The visitors enjoyed a period of sustained pressure in the Scarlets 22 earning themselves a penalty from straight in front of the posts. But instead of opting for the easy three points they went for the corner wherethey were able to squeeze the life out of the Scarlets pack.
TEAMS
SCARLETS: Halfpenny 6; McNicholl 7, Davies 8, Parkes 8 (Nicholas 76, 4), Evans 6 (Fonotia 66, 6); D Jones 6, G Davies 7; R Evans 7 (W Jones 66, 5), Owens 6, S Lee 6 (W Kruger 57, 5), L Rawlins 4 (J Macleod 76, 4), S Cummins 5 (J Helps 41, 4), W Boyde 6 (M Jones 47-50, 5), J Davies 6, U Cassiem 4.
Not used: Hardy,
EDINBURGH: Graham 7; Hoyland 6, Bennett, 6, Scot 7, Van der Merwe 7; Van der Walt 8, Pyrgos 6; Schoeman 7 (Sutherland 76, 4), McInally 8 (Ford 74, 4), Nel 7 (Berghan 45, 7), Toolis 7, Gilchrist 7, Barclay 6 (Bradbury 42, 6),Watson 8, Mata 8.
Not used: Hunter-Hill, Shiel, Hickey
REFEREE: George Clancy
ATTENDANCE: 8,733
Star man
Hamish Watson – Edinburgh
And with the hosts committing so many bodies to the maul the ball was spread wide by Henry Pyrgos who sent Scott crashing over.
The former PRO12 champions were now chasing the game in a state of desperation.
And with the hosts on the attack Halfpenny threw an uncharacteristically careless pass into the path of Van der Walt.
The Edinburgh stand off then raced in unopposed from 55 metres out to put his side into the lead for the first time as he landed the conversion.
With the match slipping away from the hosts Van der Walt then turned it into a two score games with his successful penalty attempt.
The Scarlets fought frantically to get back into the back but they found themselves getting smothered by a strong Edinburgh defence.
