Scarlets win but no bonus
The Scarlets claimed a 22-16 victory over Treviso at Parc y Scarlets but failed to secure the all-important bonus point.
Last Updated: 27/03/11 8:20pm
The Scarlets claimed a 22-16 victory over Treviso at Parc y Scarlets but failed to secure the all-important bonus point.
The Scarlets scored three tries from flanker Johnathan Edwards, replacement scrum-half Tavis Knoyle and centre Jonathan Davies.
But it was Treviso who had the last say with a try for Tobias Botes, which earned the Italians a losing bonus point.
The Scarlets went into half-time 17-6 ahead but that scoreline rather flattered a mistake-ridden performance in the opening 40 minutes.
Treviso, who have won seven games in their first Magners season, were good for their eighth minute lead through a Kristopher Burton drop-goal.
That was cancelled out by a Jones penalty goal before an opportunist try by Edwards, who went over under the posts after picking up at a ruck and slipping a tackle.
But after that Treviso more than held their own and cut the Scarlets lead to four points with a Burton penalty.
Just before half-time Scarlets decided to make a change at scrum-half in the dying minutes of the half with Knoyle coming on for Gareth Davies, and it immediately paid dividends.
Impressive No. 8 Ben Morgan made a break from a scrum before Morgan Stoddart, Gareth Maule and Rhys Priestland all combined to put Knoyle over for a converted try.
Fine pass
And six minutes after the break the Scarlets had crossed again with Davies touching down after being handed a fine pass out of the tackle by North.
But that was the last score for the Scarlets as the rest of the half saw Treviso enjoy plenty of possession.
A Burton penalty on 53 minutes cut the deficit to 13 points and the Italians were good for their try in the final minute from Botes.
There was still time for a final Scarlets assault on the Treviso line but not for the first time in the game composure let them down and a loose pass was thrown into touch.
The victory keeps the Scarlets sixth in the table and they now face a crucial clash in Ulster on Friday night as they attempt to get into the top four play-off places.
