Guinness PRO12: Scarlets beat Newport Gwent Dragons in Welsh derby
Last Updated: 05/10/14 6:36pm
Scarlets beat Newport Gwent Dragons 26-13 in a scrappy Guinness PRO12 Welsh derby at Parc y Scarlets.
A try in each half from Gareth Owen and Kristian Phillips and 13 points from the boot of Rhys Priestland were enough to earn Scarlets the win in an error-strewn contest.
Scarlets scrum-half Gareth Davies returned after concussion, but he only lasted 20 minutes after receiving another blow to the head, while Phillips started in place of injured wing Michael Tagicakibau.
The Dragons suffered a pre-match blow with full-back and captain Lee Byrne having to withdraw with a back injury.
Tom Prydie moved to number 15 with Aled Brew coming in on the wing and the captaincy going to Rynard Landman.
But the Dragons were boosted by the return of lock Ian Gough and hooker Rhys Thomas.
Though the Dragons were largely outplayed by Scarlets in the first half it was the visitors who opened the scoring on 10 minutes with a Jason Tovey penalty from a scrum.
But after that Scarlets dominated to lead 13-3 at the break.
Two Priestland kicks in the space of two minutes put Scarlets in front before they scored a fine try.
Bursts
That was created with bursts by Harry Robinson and then man of the match Liam Williams before there was a break from skipper Scott Williams, who put Gareth Owen over for a score which was converted by Priestland.
The second quarter was a very scrappy affair and ended with Liam Williams failing to find his range with a 50-metre penalty shot.
The Dragons found themselves under real pressure at the start of the second half and were fortunate to only concede a third Priestland penalty after erring offiside.
Tovey hit back with a penalty of his own but a loss of possession just outside their 22 handed a try for Scarlets with Phillips kicking ahead and touching down for Priestland to convert.
It saw the home side open up a 23-6 lead.
To be fair to Dragons they dug deep to score their only try eight minutes from time when scrum-half Richie Rees was on the end of a drive from a line-out.
But any hopes the Dragons had of grabbing a losing bonus point were snuffed out by Steven Shingler's penalty two minutes from time.
