Plenty of players impressed as the Scarlets coast to victory
Macs Page slices through the Zebre defence(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency)
The Scarlets scored six tries on their way to a comfortable 36-17 bonus point victory over Zebre in Llanelli.
Tries from Jarrod Taylor, Sam Lousi, Macs Page, Ellis Mee and Dan Davis along with six points from the boot of Carwyn Leggatt-Jones got Nigel Davies’ side over the line. Simone Gesi, Bautista Stavile and Davide Odiase scored Zebre’s tries.
The Scarlets made the perfect start when scrum-half Archie Hughes spotted Jarrod Taylor unmarked out wide to put the South African over at the corner.
Davies’ side continued to apply the pressure and claimed their second try when Lousi touched down off the back of a well-worked driving lineout with Leggatt-Jones adding the extras.
The Scarlets had the bit between their teeth as Page claimed their third try after hitting a good angle while Mee touched down for the bonus point soon after to give the hosts a commanding 24-0 lead at the interval.
Zebre showed significantly more fight after the interval as they frustrated the Scarlets until replacement openside Davis touched down for the home side’s fifth try off the back of a driving lineout.
Zebre finally got on the scoreboard when wing Gesi scored out wide.
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But the Scarlets hit straight back from the restart as Page charged forward before putting Taylor over for his second try.
Page had what would have been a sensational solo try from inside his own half denied by the TMO due to a knock on from Max Douglas.
To their credit Zebre refused to throw in the towel as they claimed a couple of late consolation tries courtesy of Stavile and Odiase.
Here are the Scarlets player ratings.
15. Blair Murray 7
The Wales international looked good with ball in hand with his footwork causing Zebre problems.
Solid defensively and under the high ball.
14. Tom Rogers 7
After not getting a single minute of game time during the Six Nations Rogers had a point to prove.
The Scarlets wing imposed himself physically and looked very threatening with ball in hand.
13. Macs Page 8
The 21-year-old enjoyed his strongest game for a while.
Page carried well and hit a strong angle to claim the bonus point try while he was also the architect of Jarrod Payne’s second.
He also got cruelly denied a sensational solo try by the TMO.
12. Johnny Williams 7
The Wales international finished the game as the top carrier with 12 and consistently got his side over the gainline.
Williams also put some big hits in defensively and worked well with Macs Page.
11. Ellis Mee 7
The Wales wing looked a constant threat with ball in hand and was strong under the high ball.
Mee found himself in the right place to touch down for the Scarlets’ bonus point try.
10. Carwyn Leggatt-Jones 7
The 18-year-old showed some nice touches with his distribution getting the best out of his back-line.
Leggatt-Jones also made some mistake but his all-round game his very good and is definitely one for the future.
9. Archie Hughes 7
The 23-year-old did well to spot Jarrod Taylor unmarked for the first Scarlets try.
Hughes had a tidy game with his sharp service aiding the Scarlets attack.
8. Fletcher Anderson 7
The New Zealander carried well getting his side over the gainline while he also made 11 tackles.
7. Josh Macleod 7
The Scarlets skipper put in 10 tackles and was effective at the breakdown.
Macleod also got his body underneath the ball on two separate occasions over the try line to keep Zebre out.
6. Jarrod Taylor 8
The South African was excellent scoring two tries for his side and getting through a mountain of work around the park.
He carried well and made eight tackles.
5. Max Douglas 8
The Australian lock dominated the lineout and succeeded in stealing a couple against the throw.
Douglas was also very prominent around the field with his carrying and offloading game causing Zebre problems.
Finished the game as the top tackler with 14.
4. Sam Lousi 7
The Tonga international had a strong game as he dominated the lineout and claimed a try.
Lousi made eight tackles and carried the ball seven times.
3. Archer Holz 9 (star man)
The Australian tighthead had a field day at the scrum as he shoved his opposite number backwards at a rate of knots.
Holz destroyed the Zebre scrum while he also carried the ball well and had a busy evening around the park.
2. Ryan Elias 7
It was a strong performance from the Wales hooker who made a few powerful carries to get his side over the gainline.
Elias also played his part in a dominant set-piece with the lineout functioning well.
1. Kemsley Mathias 8
The man from Haverfordwest scrummaged well and was prominent around the park.
Mathias carried well and put in 11 tackles.
Replacements
16. Marnus van der Merwe 7
Worked hard around the park finding his man in the lineout while he also won a penalty at the breakdown.
17. Henry Thomas N/A
Not enough time on the field.
18. Gabe Hawley 7
Scrummaged well and got through a lot of work.
19. Jac Price 6
Solid.
20. Dan Davis 7
Worked hard and claimed a try.
21. Dane Blacker 6
Slick service in a solid performance.
22. Joe Hawkins 6
Not much time to make an impact but solid enough.
23. Ioan Jones 6
Solid in defence and did nothing wrong.
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