Scarlets triumph over Treviso

Editor

LLANELLI, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Scarlets flyhalf Aled Thomas reacts during the European Rugby Champions Cup match between Scarlets and Northampton Saints at Parc y Scarlets on January 23, 2016 in Llanelli, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Two tries from right-winger Steff Evans helped Scarlets to a  24-15 victory over Treviso on Friday at Parc y Scarlets in the PRO12.

Despite tries from Evans and James Davies, Scarlets struggled to dominate the first half as they continuosly coughed up the ball. 

Jayden Hayward slotted a penalty for the visitors to make it 14-3 going into half-time. 

Two tries from Robert Barbieri in the second half turned the game on it's head as the Italians stole the lead but Scarlets quickly nicked it back through a Dan Jones kick at goal. 

Evans managed to bag his second try within the last ten minutes leaving Scarlets with a chance at a bonus point, but it was too little too late as the Welsh side won the day 24-15. 

Scarlets went into this game knowing that a bonus point win could have taken them to the top of the PRO12 table. 

Evans opened the scoring with his second try of the season, the youngster cut in from the wing to drift through the visitors defence for a phenomenal solo effort. 

Aled Thomas made no mistake from the tee to make it 7-0 with a quarter of an hour played. 

The Welsh side mauled their way into a promising position and Davies added the finishing touches as he just about managed to bundle himself over the line for Scarlets' second. 

Thomas made it two from two to double the home sides lead to 14-0. 

The Italians got themselves on the scoreboard as Hayward neatly struck home a much needed penalty to make it 14-3 at the half's end. 

The first bit of action in the second half saw Alberto Lucchese sent to the sin bin for cynically playing the ball off his feet. 

Despite being a man down Barbieri managed to smuggle himself over for a try off the back of a well constructed Treviso maul.  Hayward shanked the conversion to leave the scores at 14-8. 

A comedy of errors by the home side led to a Barbieri intercept try as the game approached the hour mark. Hayward made it 14-15 with the conversion as the Italians earned a surprise lead. 

Dan Jones got Scarlets back in front from the tee after Treviso where caught offside in front of the posts. 

Some quick hands from Hadleigh Parkes unleashed man of the match Evans who stepped his way home for his second try of the match. 

Aled Jones knocked over the conversion to nudge the score up to 24-15 with eight minutes left to play. 

Scarlets continued to push until the end but couldn't manage to score that elusive bonus point try as the Welshmen won the match 24-15.

The scorers:

For Scarlets: 
Tries: Evans 2, James Davies 
Cons: Thomas 2, Dan Jones
Pen: Dan Jones

For Treviso: 
Tries: Barbieri 2
Con: Hayward
Pen: Hayward
Yellow Card: Lucchese

Scarlets: 15 Michael Collins, 14 Steff Evans, 13 Regan King, 12 Hadleigh Parkes (c), 11 DTH van der Merwe, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Aled Davies, 8 John Barclay, 7 James Davies, 6 Maselino Paulino, 5 David Bulbring, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Peter Edwards, 2 Kirby Myhill, 1 Dylan Evans
Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Phil John, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 Tom Price, 20 Will Boyde, 21 Connor Lloyd, 22 Dan Jones, 23 Gareth Owen

Treviso: 15 Jayden Hayward, 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Alberto Sgarbi (c), 11 Tommaso Iannone, 10 Sam Christie, 9 Alberto Lucchese, 8 Robert Barbieri, 7 Marco Lazzaroni, 6 Marco Barbini, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Filo Paulo, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Luca Bigi, 1 Alberto De Marchi
Replacements: 16 Federico Zani, 17 Cherif Traorè, 18 Filippo Filippetto, 19 Jeff Montauriol, 20 Dean Budd, 21 Abraham Steyn, 22 Chris Smylie, 23 Simone Ragusi

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Leighton Hodges, Wayne Davies (both WRU)
TMO: Derek Bevan (WRU)