McNicholl stars as Scarlets dominate Welsh derby
McNicholl stars as Scarlets dominate Welsh derby
RESULT
Scarlets V Cardiff Rugby
02 APR 2022 KO 19:00 | Parc y Scarlets
35
  
20
United Rugby Championship
Att.: 7087
Head to Head
Scarlets Cardiff Rugby
WINS
30
20
LOSSES
20
30
DRAWS
0
0


Johnny McNicholl produced a two-try player of the match display on his 100th Scarlets appearance as Cardiff were beaten 35-20 at a pumped-up Parc y Scarlets.

The Wales international full-back dazzled through, crossing for a try in each half as the home side overcame a slow start to dominate this URC contest.

With the pack on top at set-piece and at the driving maul, Scarlets took a firm grip on the contest after fly-half Sam Costelow triggered the comeback with a sensational solo try.

McNicholl and Sione Kalamafoni also crossed before the break and although the No. 8 was dismissed for a dangerous tackle early in the second period, Scarlets continued to boss proceedings with McNicholl racing over at the posts for a second.

Opposite numbers Jarrod Evans and Costelow swapped early penalties before Cardiff crossed for the game’s opening try on 13 minutes when Wales wing Josh Adams swooped on a Ben Thomas cross-kick.

Needing a spark, it was provided by the Scarlets’ diminutive 10, who spotted a gap, raced through and away from the cover to dive in at the posts for a try he also converted.

With the pack gaining an ascendency, McNicholl produced a lovely arcing run outside the defence for try number two; Scott Williams was denied a try on his 150th appearance, then after a series of scrums on the Cardiff line just - which saw prop Dillon Lewis yellow carded - Kalamafoni picked up and showed his strength and dynamism to power over.

Costelow’s conversion made it 22-13 at half-time, but the Scarlets were reduced to 14 men four minutes after the restart when the officials adjudged that Kalamafoni’s tackle on replacement Gwilym Bradley was a red.

Buoyed by a vocal crowd, Scarlets kept coming at Cardiff and it led to Adams being shown yellow for a deliberate knock-on.

Costelow landed a penalty to extend the advantage, then, after a blistering break from the impressive Tomas Lezana, the ball was recycled and McNicholl dummied and stepped his way to the line.

That made it 32-13 after 52 minutes with the bonus-point in the bag.

The match continued to be played at a rapid tempo, with the 14 men of the Scarlets continuing to give as good as they got.

Costelow added another three points from the tee and although Cardiff had the final word through a James Botham try, it was mere consolation.

RESULT
Scarlets V Cardiff Rugby
02 APR 2022 KO 19:00 | Parc y Scarlets
35
  
20
United Rugby Championship
Att.: 7087

SCORECARD
ScarletsCardiff Rugby
Sione Kalamafoni
Johnny McNicholl(2)
Sam Costelow
 TRY Josh Adams
Jim Botham
Sam Costelow(3)
 CON Rhys Priestland
Jarrod Evans
Sam Costelow(3)
 PEN Jarrod Evans(2)
- DG -
- YC Dillon Lewis
Josh Adams
Sione Kalamafoni
 YC -


Head to Head
Scarlets Cardiff Rugby
WINS
30
20
LOSSES
20
30
DRAWS
0
0


SCORECARD
ScarletsCardiff Rugby
Sione Kalamafoni
Johnny McNicholl(2)
Sam Costelow
 TRY Josh Adams
Jim Botham
Sam Costelow(3)
 CON Rhys Priestland
Jarrod Evans
Sam Costelow(3)
 PEN Jarrod Evans(2)
- DG -
- YC Dillon Lewis
Josh Adams
Sione Kalamafoni
 YC -




Johnny McNicholl produced a two-try player of the match display on his 100th Scarlets appearance as Cardiff were beaten 35-20 at a pumped-up Parc y Scarlets.

The Wales international full-back dazzled through, crossing for a try in each half as the home side overcame a slow start to dominate this URC contest.

With the pack on top at set-piece and at the driving maul, Scarlets took a firm grip on the contest after fly-half Sam Costelow triggered the comeback with a sensational solo try.

McNicholl and Sione Kalamafoni also crossed before the break and although the No. 8 was dismissed for a dangerous tackle early in the second period, Scarlets continued to boss proceedings with McNicholl racing over at the posts for a second.

Opposite numbers Jarrod Evans and Costelow swapped early penalties before Cardiff crossed for the game’s opening try on 13 minutes when Wales wing Josh Adams swooped on a Ben Thomas cross-kick.

Needing a spark, it was provided by the Scarlets’ diminutive 10, who spotted a gap, raced through and away from the cover to dive in at the posts for a try he also converted.

With the pack gaining an ascendency, McNicholl produced a lovely arcing run outside the defence for try number two; Scott Williams was denied a try on his 150th appearance, then after a series of scrums on the Cardiff line just - which saw prop Dillon Lewis yellow carded - Kalamafoni picked up and showed his strength and dynamism to power over.

Costelow’s conversion made it 22-13 at half-time, but the Scarlets were reduced to 14 men four minutes after the restart when the officials adjudged that Kalamafoni’s tackle on replacement Gwilym Bradley was a red.

Buoyed by a vocal crowd, Scarlets kept coming at Cardiff and it led to Adams being shown yellow for a deliberate knock-on.

Costelow landed a penalty to extend the advantage, then, after a blistering break from the impressive Tomas Lezana, the ball was recycled and McNicholl dummied and stepped his way to the line.

That made it 32-13 after 52 minutes with the bonus-point in the bag.

The match continued to be played at a rapid tempo, with the 14 men of the Scarlets continuing to give as good as they got.

Costelow added another three points from the tee and although Cardiff had the final word through a James Botham try, it was mere consolation.

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