SCARLETS 47 – 19 NEWCASTLE RED BULLS Macs Page celebrated his 50th game for the Scarlets by scoring two tries as the home side made it a very uncomfortable return to Parc y Scarlets for Red Bulls head coach Stephen Jones in the EPCR Challenge Cup. It was Jones’ former Scarlets, Wales and British & […]
SCARLETS 47 – 19 NEWCASTLE RED BULLS
Macs Page celebrated his 50th game for the Scarlets by scoring two tries as the home side made it a very uncomfortable return to Parc y Scarlets for Red Bulls head coach Stephen Jones in the EPCR Challenge Cup.
It was Jones’ former Scarlets, Wales and British & Irish Lions half-back partner Dwayne Peel, the Scarlets head coach, who had all the bragging rights at the end of a game in which his side scored seven tries to Newcastle’s two to bag a bonus-point.
The only downside for Peel was the sight of Wales outside half Sam Costelow limping off with a hamstring injury having scored the first try of the game.
Where Costelow led, Page with his brace, No 8 Fletcher Anderson, centre Johnny Williams, scrum half Gareth Davies and wing Ellis Mee also crossed to ensure the Scarlets launched their European campaign in fine style to make it back-to-back wins after their URC triumph over Benetton Rugby.
Newcastle responded with late tries from Oliver Spencer and Ollie Leatherbarrow as they suffered a fourth successive defeat following three losses in PREM Rugby.
Costelow demonstrated the style and confidence with which he has been playing this season when he glided through the visitor’s defence to open the scoring. Then his half back partner Gareth Davies showed all his cunning and experience to spark the second try with a clever cross field kick that paved the way for Anderson to score.
Lock Alex Groves powered through the visitors’ defence before providing a try-scoring pass for centre Williams. Mee then made the running for Davies to score as the Scarlets changed ends leading 26-0.
The second half gave Peel the chance to give Wales back row man Taine Plumtree the chance to prove his fitness ahead of Tuesday’s Nations Championship squad announcement by Wales head coach Steve Tandy as he came on having finally recovered from shoulder surgery.
Things got worse for Newcastle when replacement prop Murray McCallum was shown a yellow card and Mee, Anderson and Page scored while he was off the field.
Page’s second try soon followed as he followed up Mee’s well-measured inside kick. Then came the two late consolation tries for the visitors.