Edinburgh win top-of-the-table clash against Scarlets

Colin Newboult

November 2, 2019, Treviso, Italy: jaco van der walt (edinburgh)during Benetton Treviso vs Edinburgh Rugby, Rugby Guinness Pro 14 in Treviso, Italy, November 02 2019 - LPS/Alfio Guarise (Credit Image: © Alfio Guarise/LPS via ZUMA Wire)

Edinburgh regained top spot in PRO14 Conference B after overcoming the Scarlets 14-9 in a tight and physical encounter in Llanelli on Saturday.

Wing Duhan van der Merwe scored a try and created a second for centre Mike Scott, despite Edinburgh having to defend in their 22 for large periods of the game.

Scarlets’ points came from three Dan Jones penalties which helped them secure a losing bonus-point.

The win was Edinburgh’s fifth consecutive victory over the Scarlets.

Scarlets were boosted by the inclusion of Wales squad flanker Aaron Shingler while prop Rob Evans came on at half time.

Samoa centre Kieron Fonotia made his first appearance since last November after recovering from a calf problem.

Edinburgh, who had beaten Scarlets 46-7 earlier in the season, deserved their 14-6 half-time lead thanks to two pieces of magic from Van der Merwe.

Despite the presence of Storm Dennis, the South African wing showed what was possible with ball in hand as he ran in from halfway eluding four Scarlet defenders. Jaco van der Walt converted in front of the posts to give the Scotsmen a deserved lead.

Scarlets dominated first-half possession but did not help themselves that they lost three of their first four line-outs and were also under pressure in the scrum.

But they edged their way back into the contest with penalties for fly-half Jones.

However, a minute from the interval, just as Scarlets got themselves within a point of Edinburgh, Van der Merwe came off his wing at a scrum, burst through and put Scott over under the posts. Van der Walt converted.

Despite playing against a strong wind, Scarlets made an encouraging start to the second half with Jones converting his second penalty in the 48th minute.

Scarlets did have their chances and good positions in Edinburgh’s 22. The best chance came when Steff Hughes broke through but was scythed down by man of the match Viliame Mata.

In the early match, Leinster kept up their unbeaten record this season with a comfortable 36-12 triumph over the Cheetahs. Will Connors (twice), Michael Bent, Ronan Kelleher and Rhys Ruddock sealed their 11th league win.

Following that victory, Leo Cullen’s men extended their lead at the top of Conference A due to Ulster’s shock 26-24 defeat to the Ospreys in Swansea.

The Welsh region were excellent in the opening 50 minutes, going 23-10 ahead via Owen Watkin and two Scott Otten scores, before the visitors hit back.

Matt Faddes and Stuart McCloskey went over to take the play-off challengers ahead, but Luke Price’s late penalty secured the win for the home team.

In the final game on Saturday, Connacht hammered Cardiff Blues 29-0 to move to within touching distance of the play-off places in Conference B. They dominated from start to finish and sealed a bonus-point success via Dave Heffernan, Peter Robb, John Porch and Kyle Godwin tries.

Cardiff Rugby