Scarlets claim top position with 12-31 win over Benetton

Benetton Treviso 12-31 Scarlets, Stadio Comunale di Monigo
Scorecard

Scarlets have kept their hopes of making to the play-offs alive after defeating Benetton Treviso 12-31 in their European Champions Cup face-off at Stadio Comunale di Monigo on Saturday.

Leigh Halfpenny kicked an eighth-minute penalty to set the proceedings and soon riding on a flick from Paul Asquith, wing Johnny McNicholl crossed over four minutes later that was improved by fullback to make it 0-10 for Scarlets.

The home side suffered a series of setbacks when Nasi Manu left the field with an ankle injury in the 15th minute and five minutes later Federico Zani was sin-binned. That saw McNicholl repay the favour to Asquith, who went past the line and a conversion from Halfpenny made it 0-17.

Scarlets soon went on to claim their bonus point with Gareth Davies going past the line on either side of the restart as they stretched their lead to 31 points. The second of Davies' try came following a sin-bin to Benetton Treviso's Angelo Esposito.

From there on in it was just a question of holding on to their lead and emptying the bench. Monty Ioane saved Benetton Treviso from embarrassment as he scored two tries in the 77th and 80th minute but could not prevent Scarlets from winning the game by 19 points.