Very, very disappointing!

Having arrived only just before kick off, the nerves are jangling somewhat. The reason? Well it’s the Scarlets isn’t it. They ended our Heineken Cup ambitions last year, and are better this year than last term.

So the game kicks off, and Hala’ufia knocks on, it’s not the start that I am looking for to settle the nerves, and the resulting scrum does not see the dominance that I had hoped from us.

The best that can be said of the first few minutes is that it is scrappy. That’s until Molly shows a deftness of touch I never knew he had to send a chip behind the Scarlets defensive line, and DB gathers cleanly and surges on. I’m screaming go left, and what does he do, he goes right, and it looks to me that the chance has gone. The team think differently though, and a few phases later it’s Elvis, through the smallest of gaps in the defensive line and in under the posts.

Easy extras for Molly, and that’s a pretty good start really, hopefully the nerves will settle and we’ll play a bit.

That seems like a bit of wishful thinking over the next 10 minutes though, as it continues to be a bit scrappy, and indiscipline from us sees the Scarlets back within a point, courtesy of two penalties.

The second penalty though appeared to spur us on, and good intensity in our play sees Matt Garvey break through and as the ruck forms, a red shirt appears offside and sir gives the penalty.

The oft maligned Molly steps up and does his job effectively. That’s 10-6, now comeo n boys, lets settle down and play.

Both teams clearly want to win this, as they are both now showing real intensity out there, but the quality is poor, and now it’s Steffon penalized at a ruck, and another penalty for the Scarlets, and it’s now 10-9, and I’m not actually enjoying this too much, we need to really put these boys away.

Half an hour in, and it’s a penalty given away at the scrum, looks like Murphy that’s been pinged, and the Scarlets are now ahead for the first time in the game, 12-10. The young fly half Shingler looking incredibly composed with the boot. As a slight aside, the other Shingler has also looked good for the away side carrying well in the second row.

Three minutes later though, and after a poor kick from Shingler goes straight out at the other end of the pitch. All the way back for a scrum in the Scarlets half, and a few phases later a penalty for someone going in at the side at a ruck, and Molly slots one home from straight in front. We’re back in front, but this is just too close to call right now.

Half time, 13-12 up, time for a pint and a prayer that we up the game in the second half.

Five minutes in to the second half, and my confidence is not rising, as the game seems to be being played in our half. Shingler (I think) breaks the line, and they’re on our try line. Penalty, Paice offside, quick tap from the scrum half, he’s stopped, but someone’s over the line. The referee doesn’t seem sure, and goes to the TMO. The wait is agony, but it’s no try. Scrum to us. Phew.

Ok, not phew, the Scarlets muller us at the scrum, penalty to them, and they opt for another scrum. This is not in the script. Do the Scarlets not know they are a nice attacking side with flair backs and a powderpuff pack!!!

51 minutes on the clock, and it’s yet another penalty after someone goes in at the side at a ruck. We really need to sort out the discipline here, although fortunately the young Scarlets out half Shingler has shanked it and it’s still a one point lead for us.

Some decent play then follows from the Exiles, and a spell in the Scarlets half. A penalty now to us, and Molly doesn’t look confident it’s in his range, but it looks as if Kendo makes the decision that he’s going for it, and Molly slots it, 16-12, 22 minutes to go.

Handbags now, after Thorpe takes out a Scarlets player in the air, and it’s a yellow card for Thorpe. Going to be a defining 10 minutes for the match now is my immediate thought.

Just after the hour now, and Steffon looks bemused at the decision at a ruck. The decision is a scrum to the Scarlets, and they get the ball out of it quickly. Good break by Morgan, nice offload to Dan Evans cutting an inside line, and the fullback feeds the scrum half who goes over for a very well worked try. Shingler slots the extras, and the Scarlets are ahead 19-16.

COME ON YOU IRISH!!!

It doesn’t get much better, the Scarlets are dominating, and with 7 minutes to go, it’s another penalty, which Shingler slots home to give the Scarlets a 22-16 lead.

Almost straight from kick off though, and it’s another penalty, this time to us, and molly is going to have another go. And he’s missed it. That kind of sums up the second half really!

A minute later and it’s another penalty in almost the same spot, but this time Allinson takes the quick tap. We go right, then back again, but the Scarlets have stolen it and clear their lines, but we give it back to them. There are 2 minutes to go, why did we not keep the ball and go through the phases.

They give it back to us for some reason, and we go again. Two minutes to go, it’s going to have to be a converted try or nothing here, but it’s a penalty to the Scarlets, although I didn’t see what for, and Shingler is going to have a go from inside his own half and it’s over. 9 point lead for them, and we kick off, and they claim the ball. It’s out of play and it’s over.

Well played the Scarlets, you thoroughly deserved the win. Notable performances from both Shinglers, along with Ben Morgan, who is fast making a real name for himself with some powerful performances at number 8.

Back to AP action for us next week, and hopefully a better performance, because this was simply not good enough, even in a competition that is not a priority, from a team that is aspiring to win trophies.