Guinness Pro12: Scarlets edge out Glasgow Warriors at Parc y Scarlets
Last Updated: 23/11/14 6:17pm
Just one try from Scarlets number eight Rory Pitman proved to be the difference as the Scarlets edged a tight 19-9 victory over Glasgow Warriors in the Guinness Pro12.
Steven Shingler kicked all four of his penalty attempts at Parc y Scarlets and added a conversion, while second-placed Glasgow just had three penalties from outside-half Peter Horner.
Despite the victory, there was a negative side to the evening for Scarlets who suffered a setback just before kick-off when All Black centre Regan King pulled out through injury.
It meant Rhys Priestland, who was released from the Wales squad, came into the team at fly-half with Shingler filling the void left by King in the centre.
Scarlets had the better of a dull, weather-dominated first half which saw the region lead through three Shingler penalties, and they had an edge in the scrum.
They were rewarded with a penalty after six minutes which Shingler kicked from in front of the posts.
But from the kick-off the Scarlets gave away a cheap penalty which Horne converted.
There were no clear-cut try chances in the first 40 minutes which summed up the lack of high-grade rugby.
Kicking
The Scarlets had to rely on the boot of Shingler to open up a 9-3 lead by the interval. It should have been 12-3 but scrum-half Aled Davies decided to take a tapped penalty instead of kicking the three points.
Shingler kicked penalties after 14 and 26 minutes but Scarlets lost captain John Barclay with a head injury. Glasgow were forced into a tactical change at tighthead scrum, replacing teenager Fagerson with the more experienced Rossouw de Klerk.
Glasgow came back into the game early in the second half and two Horne penalties put the Scots back on level terms on the hour mark.
But after 64 minutes Scarlets got back in front with Shingler's fourth kick at goal and from there the home side finished the game the stronger and should have ended with more than their one try.
It came three minutes from time when Pitman went over under the posts for a score converted by Shingler.
