Scarlets fight back to draw 20-20 with Benetton

Benetton 20-20 Scarlets, Stadio Monigo

Scarlets showed resilience and character to secure a 20-20 draw against Benetton in a fog-affected United Rugby Championship clash at Stadio Monigo, coming from behind for the second week in succession.

The visitors made a changed selection following their previous win and were given an early let-off when Benetton full-back Rhyno Smith missed a straightforward penalty. Scarlets capitalised soon after as 18-year-old fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones opened his senior scoring with a well-struck penalty, earned after strong scrum pressure deep in Italian territory to make it 0-3.

Benetton responded with sustained possession and territory. Scarlets were forced into repeated defensive efforts close to their own line and eventually conceded points when Smith levelled matters from the tee. The hosts then moved ahead through another penalty after Scarlets were penalised at the breakdown making it 6-3.

Pressure continued to build and Benetton claimed the first try of the game when Paolo Odogwu stepped over following a spell of attacking play, with Smith adding the conversion. Scarlets threatened just before the break but were unable to convert from close range and went into half-time trailing 13-3.

Scarlets found the spark they needed early after the restart. Scrum-half Gareth Davies sniped around the fringe after a powerful carry from Fletcher Anderson to score, with Leggatt-Jones converting to close the gap to 13-10.

As thick fog descended, play continued after discussions with match officials. That made Tomi Lewis’s try on 57 minutes vital, the winger finishing in the corner from a well-timed pass by Leggatt-Jones making it 13-15, although the conversion was missed with the posts obscured.

Benetton regained the lead with ten minutes remaining when Alessandro Garbisi darted over from close range, the conversion making it 20-15. Scarlets responded again five minutes later as Dane Blacker chipped ahead, Leggatt-Jones gathered and released Macs Page to score. The conversion was narrowly missed, leaving the scores level at 20-20.

In a dramatic finish, Benetton had two long-range penalty attempts to win the match, but both drifted wide, allowing Scarlets to claim a deserved draw.

Team line up:

Benetton: Smith; Mendy, Odogwu, Drago, Ratave; Farias, Uren (capt); Gallo, Maile, Gallorini, Marini, Snyman, Izekor, Kingi, Fa'aso'o.

Reserves: Bernasconi, Aminu, Pasquali, Scrafton, Casartelli, Garbisi , Gallagher, Medina.

Scarlets: J Davies; Page, Roberts, Williams (capt), Lewis; Leggatt-Jones, G Davies; Hepburn, Van der Merwe, Holz, Price, Lousi, Douglas, Taylor, Anderson.

Reserves: Harry Thomas, Morse, Henry Thomas, Ball, D Davis, Blacker, McBryde, Badham.