Unbeaten Scarlets go top

Two tries: Jordan Williams

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Teams

• Connacht
• Scarlets

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• Late Sexton drop saves Leinster in Italy
• Blues beat Dragons

Scarlets moved to the top of the PRO12 standings on Saturday thanks to a 24-11 win over Connacht at the Sportsground.

A brace from Jordan Williams in a second half blitz made sure the Scarlets stayed unbeaten after three rounds this season.

Four second-half tries from the Scarlets ensured that they not only overturned a half-time deficit to come away with the win but also picked up a bonus point in the process.

The hosts had started the game well and they kept the Welsh side's danger men quiet in the first period, to such an extent that the visitors were pointless at the break, while also showing some attacking intent themselves.

Kiwi fly-half Miah Nikora kicked Connacht into an early lead and, after most of the opening half turned into a real battle with very few try-scoring opportunities, they finally made the breakthrough just before the interval as centre Eoin Griffin crossed to make it 8-0.

The Scarlets were stung into action though and three tries in the opening 15 minutes of the second half turned the match on its head.

First full-back Jordan Williams went over after an excellent move started by Welsh international winger George North and it wasn't long before North had a try of his own, showing good pace to outstrip the defence.

Williams completed his brace with another fine try moments later in what was a dreadful spell for the home side but the men from Llanelli were made to wait a long time to secure that crucial bonus point.

In fact, a couple of missed conversions meant that another Nikora penalty midway through the half gave Connacht more than a fighting chance of getting back into the game.

It wasn't to be though and Jonathan Davies made sure the visitors did leave with both the victory and the bonus point with a fourth try in the final minute as the Scarlets remain undefeated at the top of the PRO12 table.

The scorers:

For Connacht:
Try:Griffin
Pens: Nikora 2

For Scarlets:
Tries: J Williams 2, North, JJV Davies
Cons: Priestland, J Williams

Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy (c), 14 Tiernan O'Halloran, 13 Eoin Griffin, 12 Dave McSharry, 11 Fetu'u Vainikolo, 10 Miah Nikora, 9 Kieran Marmion, 8 Eoin McKeon, 7 Willie Faloon, 6 Andrew Browne, 5 Mike McCarthy, 4 Michael Swift, 3 Nathan White, 2 Ethienne Reynecke, 1 Brett Wilkinson.
Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Dennis Buckley, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 David Gannon, 20 Johnny O'Connor, 21 Dave Moore, 22 Matthew Jarvis, 23 Robbie Henshaw.

Scarlets: 15 Jordan Williams, 14 George North, 13 Jonathan Davies (c), 12 Scott Williams, 11 Nick Reynolds 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Gareth Davies, 8 Kieran Murphy. 7 Johnathan Edwards, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Richard Kelly, 4 Sione Timani, 3 Samson Lee, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Phil John.
Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Peter Edwards, 18 Deacon Manu, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Rob McCusker, 21 Aled Davies, 22 Aled Thomas, 23 Gareth Maule.

Venue: The Sportsground, Galway
Referee: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Johnny Lacey (Ireland), John Carvill (Ireland)
Television match official: Dermot Moloney (Ireland)
Assessor: Michael Carroll (Ireland)