After an unconvincing, but ultimately successful display in difficult conditions against the Dragons in the last round of the Women’s Senior regional championship the Scarlets Womens Senior squad arrived in The BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park in determined mood to return to the attacking free-flowing rugby that proved to be a championship winning formula last season.
The Scarlets came out of the blocks firing, putting the capital region under intense pressure from the off and were duly rewarded in the second minute when the Blues were guilty of holding in the ruck, and the ever reliable boot of Jodie Evans settled any nerves by slotting the kick from 35meters out.
The opening try of the day came eight minutes later when after powerful inter-play between the forwards and backs, impressive full back Dyddgu Hywel sliced through to score near the posts. Evans added the extras.
From the restart, the girls in red again went on the attack. After yet another infringement at the contact area by the Blues, the Scarlets were awarded a very kickable penalty, however this time captain Sioned Harries opted to take a quick tap which saw her feed centre Elen Evans to race towards the line only to be brought down just short of the white wash. The Scarlets recycled the ball quickly. Scrum half Jess Kavenagh fed blindside flanker and former Under 18s captain, Alisha Butchers who drove across the line to score despite the attention of several Blues defenders. Evans once again converted the try.
The next Scarlets score came soon after. Once again the forwards created the perfect platform for the exciting Scarlets backs to exploit. The Blues were finding it difficult to handle the powerful phase play of the Scarlets eight and eventually a gap was created in the Blues line, outside half Hannah Jones needed no second invitation and raced in for the score under the posts, with Evans once again adding the extras.
To their credit, The Blues came back into the game and after a series of penalties found themselves camped on the Scarlets line. The attacking prowess of the Scarlets Girls had been evident throughout the game, but their defensive qualities came to the fore at this stage, showing determination and no small amount of aggression to eventually secure the turnover and make their way up field. Some fantastic interplay between all the players eventually led to Whitland No 8 Natalie Walsh being released to score the bonus point try on the stroke of half time. When Evans slotted the conversion the score was 31-0 to the Scarlets.
The Scarlets started the second half in the same way that they had finished the first with a 15 minute blitz in which saw the West Walians scored three tries. Barely five minutes after the break, ever impressive centre Elen Evans showed pace and power to cross for the Scarlets 5th try of the day. Less than five minutes later the reds were at it again. Evans showing that she is more kicker when after some slick handling she cut through the Blues defence to score wide out. The next, and as it turned out final core for the reds came on 55 minutes when once again the irrepressible Scarlets team interlinked to release full back Hywel for her second and the Scarlets’ 7th score of the day.
To their credit the Blues kept going and were rewarded in the last play of the game when winger Rafike Taylor scored a great individual try under the posts which was duly converted and an excellent performance by the Scarlets to a conclusion.
The Scarlets next face arch rivals, The Ospreys on December 20th at a venue to be confirmed, in what could be the defining game of the season so far and based on this result the Scarlets can go into that game with confidence, but will need to raise their game further if they wish to maintain their unbeaten record going into the Christmas break.
