Eight-try Scarlets hand 57-10 defeat to newcomers Southern Kings

Scarlets 57-10 Southern Kings

Leigh Halfpenny made an impressive debut for Scarlets as the defending champions ran an eight try riot to trounce Southern Kings by 57-10 in the Pro 14 season opener.

It took just eight minutes for Scarlets to score their opening try that came through Johnny McNicholl but Kings bounced back with a try of their own that came from Yaw Penxe and Kurt Coleman's conversion put them into a two point lead.

Halfpenny soon made his presence felt as he scored a converted try in the 22nd minute as they reclaimed a five point lead. Both Halfpenny and Coleman exchanged penalties at the stroke of half time as the score was 15-10 in favour of the Welsh regional side.

Kings lost their momentum in the second half as Rhys Patchell and Jake Ball crossed over in the 46th and 50th minutes respectively and Halfpenny slotted the conversion on both the occasion. The defending champions increased their lead to 19 points at that stage.

Scarlets eventually dominated the final quarter as they amassed four tries - one each from Emyr Phillips (62'), Hadleigh Parkes (69'), McNicholl (73') and Steffan Evans (77') with Patchell adding all four conversions to complete a 47 point victory.