Scarlets ran in five tries to see off the challenge of the Barbarians in an entertaining clash at Parc y Scarlets in the Phil Bennett Memorial Match.

Against a side that had swamped English Premiership sides Northampton and Bristol, Scarlets produced a hugely encouraging display in their first outing of the campaign.

Head coach Dwayne Peel gave all of his 26 players a run-out, making wholesale changes at the break.

But they were still able to quell a Baabaas line-up that contained a number of Australia A side that had beaten Wales’ World opponents Portugal in August, not to mention a number of Japan internationals, and, of course, former Scarlets favourites Rob Evans and Aaron Shingler.

After a lovely moment’s applause to commemorate Phil Bennett, the match began at a breathless pace that Benny would have relished, with both sides refusing to put the ball out of play.

It was the visitors who were first over the whitewash with some slick passing freeing wing Dylan Pietsch, who dived acrobatically in at the corner. Scrum-half Ryan Lonergan converted from the touchline.

But back came the Scarlets and after a concerted period of pressure on the Baabas’ line, impressive debutant Taine Plumtree touched down at the back of a line-out drive. Ioan Lloyd was wide with the conversion.

The nip and tuck nature of the game continued, but it was the Scarlets, with Johnny McNicholl and Tom Rogers threats out wide, enjoying the better of territory and possession. The home side’s adventure was rewarded when hooker Shaun Evans hit a great line to score at the posts. Lloyd was on target to register his first points in a Scarlets jersey.

A Scarlets attack from deep led to centre Filipo Daugunu seeing yellow for an off-the-ball challenge - one of three Baabaas players who spent time in the sin-bin during the contest.

Then, on the stroke of half-time, Lloyd produced a lovely piece of vision and skill to chip over the onrushing defence. It looked like both Lloyd and Johnny McNicholl had won the race for the touchdown, with the score eventually awarded to the full-back. Lloyd added the extras to make it 19-7 at the break.

Despite the Scarlets making a raft of changes at the interval, the home side extended their lead two minutes after the restart when scrum-half Archie Hughes sniped blindside for try number four. Unfortunately, Hughes had to shortly leave the field for a HIA after a brave tackle on a rampaging Baabaas forward.

The visitors responded shortly after when Wales international Evans ploughed over from short range against his former club, with the conversion reducing the deficit to 26-14.

With the game developing an edge not normally associated with free-wheeling Barbarians matches, the invitational side lost two more players to the sin bin.

Barbarians pressed for a further score, but on 70 minutes replacement Eddie James burgled an interception before racing 70 metres unopposed to the line, much to the delight of the home crowd. Player of the match Dan Jones converted.

There was a late consolation for the Baabaas in the final attack of the match through wing Ryohei Yamanaka, with the game ending in a scuffle.

The players soon made up quickly with the customary handshakes and a photo to commemorate an occasion that was a fitting tribute to a Scarlets great.

Scarlets - tries: T. Plumtree, S. Evans, J. McNicholl, A. Hughes, E. James. Cons: I. Lloyd (2), D. Jones (2).

Barbarians - tries: D. Pietsch, R. Evans, R. Yamanaka. Cons: R. Lonergan (2).