Deadly Taylor torments Scarlets

Taylor’s top end speed proved too hot to handle for the Scarlets in the first spell as the speedster sizzled over for a hat-trick in a 17-minute period to give the Blues a comfortable 17-0 lead at the break.
 
The West Wales team shrugged off their malaise which held them back in the first half and launched into the Blues with renewed vigour in the second spell. Two tries for impressive young winger, Caitlin Lewis, brought the Scarlets right back into the game.
 
The Scarlets tied the scores thanks to international flanker, Nia Elen Davies who was on hand to round of a flowing move to score near the posts. Jodie Evans adding the extra points to leave the match delicately poised.
 
The Scarlets kept on the front foot and when a penalty was awarded at the breakdown, Evan’s stepped up to coolly strike the ball between the uprights to give the West Walian team the lead with barley eight minutes left on the clock.
 
But the Scarlets failed to secure the ball from the restart to give the excellent Blues one final opportunity. Some great work from replacement scrum half, Joanne Jones saw the ball move along the line finally reaching full back Angharad de Smet, who cut a great angle to slice through the Reds defence and score under the cross bar, Robyn Wilkins adding the extras, giving her team a deserved 24-20 victory.
 
Blues vice-captain, Liliana Podapec, was delighted with the victory which left her side the only undefeated team in the championship after two rounds.
 
“In the second half the Scarlets came out a different team but we fought back well in the last five minutes and I felt we deserved the win,” she said.
 
“We’ve come together well in the last nine weeks and it’s been a great environment and we’ve come so far. I’ve loved every moment of the games so far and can’t wait for the next game.”
 
Head coach of the Scarlets, Daryl Morgan, admitted his side paid dearly for a lack lustre first half performance.
 
“I’m really pleased with the way the team responded in the second half, they showed loads of resolve and determination but ultimately we can’t afford to give teams the start that we did, especially next Sunday when we take on the Ospreys in St Helens,” he said.
 
The Ospreys kicked their season off in brilliant style running in nine tries against the Dragons with Wales duo Siwan Lillicrap and Mel Clay leading the way with a hat-trick and brace of tries respectively.
 
Robyn Lock, Carys Phillips, Keira Bevan and Ffion Bowen touched down as well as the Dragons were brushed aside 53-5.
 
Centre Carys Cox converted an overlap to score for the Dragons to stop the rot momentarily in the second half, but the Ospreys were in no mood for mercy and continued their onslaught to record a convincing victory.
 
The third round of the championship will be held at St Helens on Sunday where the Ospreys will take on the Scarlets (12.30) and RGC return to action with their clash against in-form Cardiff Blues (2.30).