Scarlets complete 28-11 victory over Sale Sharks

Scarlets 28-11 Sale Sharks, Parc y Scarlets
Scorecard

A clinical first half performance from Scarlets was too strong for Sale Sharks as they succumbed to a 28 - 11 defeat in their European Champions Cup opener at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.

Scrum half Gareth Davies (12') and wing DTH van der Merwe (31') scored a try apiece in the first half while fly-half Rhys Patchell added three penalties and a conversion to take Scarlets to 21 points at half time.

The South African-Canadian wing van der Merwe extended Scarlets' domination in the second half by scoring his second try in the 56th minute, which was also the only try in the game in the last 40 minutes.

In response, hooker Neil Briggs (24') was the only try scorer for Sale Sharks while Dan Mugford added to penalties to take the visitors to 11 points after which they failed to add any more in the second half.

The win has also taken Scarlets to the top position in Pool 3 and is closely followed by the defending champions Saracens at second. In round two, Scarlets will take on Mark McCall's men on 22nd October while Sale Sharks will play a home game against Toulon on 21st October.