Toulon move to second with 31-20 win over Scarlets

Toulon 31-20 Scarlets, Stade Felix Mayol
Scorecard

Wales international Leigh Halfpenny contributed with 16 points as Toulon defeated Scarlets by 31-20 in their European Champions Cup encounter at Stade Felix Mayol on Sunday.

Even though Scarlets started the game aggressively, flanker Mamuka Gorgodze with an offload from centre Mathieu Bastareaud scored the opening try for Toulon in the fourth minute with Halfpenny adding the conversion.

A 11th minute penalty from Halfpenny stretched the lead to 10 points but Scarlets made a comeback with fly-half Rhys Patchell adding two penalties and the gap was reduced to four points.

However, Halfpenny had other plans as he scored a converted try in the 25th minute and four minutes later Romain Taofifenua crossed over with the fullback adding the extras to take Toulon to 24 points.

A try from Ken Owens just before the half-time provided some respite to Scarlets but they ended the first half trailing by 11 points.

Hooker Guilhem Guirado secured the bonus point for the home side when he strolled across the post in the 44th minute and Halfpenny got his fourth conversion right to take Toulon to 31 points.

A yellow card to lock Taofifenua saw Toulon reduced to 14-men which was capitalised by number eight John Barclay when he scored the second try for Scarlets but the Welsh team eventually lost the game by 11 points.

The win has taken Toulon to second position in Pool 3 with Scarlets at fourth place.