In front of a superb band of travelling fans, Scarlets claimed a bonus-point 32-18 victory over Zebre Parma in their penultimate game of the BKT United Rugby Championship season.

Player of the match Gareth Davies crossed for a brace of tries, while skipper Ryan Elias and wing Tomi Lewis also got on the scoresheet to ensure Dwayne Peel’s side registered a fourth league victory of the campaign.

After recent improvements, it was another positive step for the Scarlets, who finish their campaign with a clash against the Dragons on Judgement Day a week on Saturday.

As well as Davies, there were strong displays from Elias, Taine Plumtree and Dan Davis up front, while Eddie James made constant ground at inside centre and Lewis and Ryan Conbeer were razor-sharp threats out wide.

It was Zebre who flew out of the blocks and early pressure led to a fourth-minute try by powerful No. 8 and skipper Giovanni Licata, converted by Giovanni Montemauri.

Scarlets’ response was swift and strong with a Ioan Lloyd break sparking a period of pressure that saw Carwyn Tuipulotu and Plumtree go close, denied by stubborn home defence.

Eventually, Zebre’s defensive dam was broken with Elias put in space from a clever pass by Plumtree to dive over from close range. Lloyd’s conversion drifted wide.

The West Walians, cheered on by a vocal travelling support, were soon over for their second of the night and it came from a familiar source.

It was all made by a brilliant ‘cat-flap’ offload from the impressive Plumtree to Conbeer, who stepped inside before feeding Davies on his inside. Lloyd added the extras.

Back came Zebre, however. Fly-half Montemauri added a simple penalty to reduce the lead to two points then added another three-pointer to regain the advantage.

But a Davies special saw the away fans celebrating again, the scrum-half intercepting on halfway and racing to the posts unopposed for his 50th URC try. Lloyd slotted the extras to make it 19-13 to the visitors at the break.

Scarlets enjoyed the best possible start to the second half with their bonus-point try coming just two minutes after the restart.

The powerful James made the initial inroads and then patient build-up play eventually saw speedster Lewis put in space. The winger still had a bit to do, but showed his pace to burst through and stretch over for the score. Lloyd converted.

However, after Scarlets failed to clear their lines, Zebre hit back once again through prop Muhamed Hasa, who drove over in the corner to make it 28-16.

Scarlets created plenty of opportunities as the match wore on in the final quarter and continued to make Zebre’s defence scramble to avoid conceding a fifth try.

With the home side infringing inside their own 22, Scarlets opted for goal and replacement Sam Costelow extended the lead to 29-18 on 68 minutes.

A Dan Davis break up the middle should have produced another try, but Zebre hauled the openside down just short of the line, then prevented the ball being recycled and sub Thomas Dominguez was shown yellow. Costelow added a second penalty and that provide more than enough.

Nineteen-year-old Mac Page came on for his URC debut in the final minutes to complete an encouraging night for the West Walians.

Zebre - tries: G. Licata, M. Hasa. Con: G. Montemauri. Pens: Montemauri (2).

Scarlets - tries: R. Elias, G. Davies (2), T. Lewis. Cons: I. Lloyd (2), S. Costelow. Pens: Costelow (2).

Attendance: 2,500

Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland)