Scarlets 26-8 Glasgow: Dominant second-half secures PRO14 victory for Welsh trailblazers
By Sky Sports Rugby
Last Updated: 07/04/18 9:05pm
The Scarlets dominated Glasgow Warriors and are on track to secure a home play-off after a 26-8 win in the PRO14.
The Welsh side were looking to keep the pressure on current leaders Leinster and did so with a three-tries-to-one win against Dave Rennie's Warriors.
The victory was built on a dominant home scrum where man of the match Rob Evans was hugely impressive in the front row.
Head coach Wayne Pivac picked a strong line-up, naming a side with just two changes from the La Rochelle game and they showed no sign of fatigue in this 18-point victory.
Rhys Patchell orchestrated the game from fly-half, and was in fine form scoring two tries for the home team. Gareth Davies was the other try scorer after an interception try from a pass from his opposite number Ali Price.
The Scarlets enjoyed the better of territory and possession in the first half before Rhys Patchell opened the scoring after some weak Warriors' defence.
Previously, Finn Russell missed two penalties and Leigh Halfpenny hit the post but made amends as the half wore, though it was Glasgow who finished strongly however they were to rue their decision not to kick a succession of penalties.
Clearly stung by some harsh words from Rennie at the break, Glasgow looked a far more threatening outfit at the start of the second half with a break by skipper Ryan Wilson leading to a penalty from replacement Peter Horne, who had come on at the break for the out-of-sorts Russell.
But Halfpenny restored the eight-point cushion following another powerful home scrum, then Davies struck with his intercept.
It was an uncanny replica of his effort against Scotland in the Six Nations opener in Cardiff, racing 55 metres unopposed to the whitewash.
Another Halfpenny penalty extended the Scarlets lead to 19-3, but Glasgow were not willing to throw in the towel and Horne off-loaded to replacement Henry Pyrgos, who crossed to make it a contest again.
But the Scarlets finished in the ascendancy with Patchell capping an impressive victory with his second try of the afternoon.