The Scarlets were desperately unlucky to end up with just one bonus point, after losing a 14-try thriller against the Stormers in Cape Town. Despite a hat-trick from Joe Roberts, the Welsh region fell short in a high-scoring encounter.
Backline Stars Shine
Ioan Nicholas delivered a brilliant performance at full-back, cutting a lovely line in the build-up to Ioan Jones' score and setting up Page's score while beating a host of defenders. Ioan Jones impressed on the wing, brushing himself off to set up Roberts' try before finishing acrobatically out wide, stepping around one defender before diving over. He was lively throughout and only denied a second by a forward pass.
Joe Roberts earned the highest rating of 9, with his hat-trick grabbing the headlines, but his overall game was praised, being very good on both sides of the ball. Joe Hawkins had a mixed day, with a loose pull-back pass turning a gilt-edge scoring chance into a Stormers counter that became their second score, but he redeemed himself moments later by helping to create his midfield partner's score.
Forwards and Replacements
Macs Page responded strongly after being overlooked by Wales, showing confidence until injury cut short his day. Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, the teenager, was a dangerous running threat and kicked well, running the show against one of world rugby's rising stars. His 50:22 in the last 10 minutes was described as "quite frankly, a joke." Dane Blacker was very good throughout, aside from one loose pass into touch.
Kemsley Mathias conceded a scrum penalty early on but was a willing carrier. John McKee was sent to the sin-bin early for going off his feet at the breakdown, which proved costly initially, but he threw himself into everything. Harri O'Connor, like his colleague on the other side of the scrum, found the scrum an issue. Alex Groves had a decent work-load without being eye-catching, while Sam Lousi impressed with a choke tackle and intercept in the first half, reading the game well.
Taine Plumtree showed athleticism but was occasionally too loose, though he got through a load of work. Captain Josh Macleod continued his strong start to the season with a shedload of tackles and a well-taken try, despite fewer breakdown opportunities. Fletcher Anderson delivered a big performance on both sides of the ball as usual.
Impact from the Bench
George Roberts and Sam O'Connor were solid in cameos, with O'Connor's delightful lofted pass for Macleod's try earning a joke about front-row union membership. Gabe Hawley made one lovely mazy carry down the right wing. Harvey Cuckson made a big intervention to hold up the ball over his own line nine minutes from time. Dan Davis spent his time defending his own line, while Archie Hughes looked lively off the bench. Gareth Anscombe came on for the final five minutes but had no time to make an impact. Isaac Murray-MacGregor, on debut, perhaps overcommitted in defence for the winning score, but there was little he could do at that stage.
