Scarlets player ratings vs Dragons – Scarlets thump Dragons 32-15 in perfect New Year's start
01/02/2025 04:17 AM
The Scarlets proved far too strong for their South Wales counterparts with a resounding 32-15 win at the Parc Y Scarlets. First half tries from Josh Macleod and a double from Blaire Murray left many thinking the game was done before the second half had even begun.
The Dragons fought back through youngster Huw Anderson and flanker Taine Basham but sadly for the visiting fans the Dragons left it all too late to challenge their counter parts seriously.
SCARLETS: 32
Tries: 4 – Blaire Murray (7′,15′), Josh Macleod (29′), Ellis Mee (42′)
Conversions: 3 – Sam Costelow (8′,16′,31′,)
Penalties: 2 – Sam Costelow (11′), Ioan Lloyd (69′)
Yellow Cards: 1 – Taine Plumtree (60′)
DRAGONS: 15
Tries: 2 – Taine Basham (50′), Huw Anderson (66′)
Conversions: 1 – Angus O’Brien (51′)
Penalties: 1 – Angus O’Brien (14′)
SCARLETS PLAYER RATINGS
1. Alec Hepburn-5
Hepburn struggled at scrum time in the opening half and just wasn’t able to match Arhip at set piece. Apart from that Hepburn was decent just not a major amount to highlight.
2. Marnus van der Merwe-8
Van Der Merwe was a livewire around the field making the most successful carries for his side. In attack he was all action and in defence he was a menace for the Dragons.
3. Henry Thomas-6
Much stronger from Thomas at set piece never gave an inch and was squeeky clean at scrum time. All around just solid from
4. Alex Craig-6
Craig was an absolute machine in defence for the home side topping the tackles for the Scarlets and put a real shift in doing the dirty work for his teamates.
5. Sam Lousi-7
Lousi was brilliant with ball in hand always threatening with an offload and keeping the Dragons defence second guessing. A 100% tackle success rate showed Lousi was a real asset to his teamates.
6. Max Douglas-6
Douglas was part of a robust forward pack performance that enabled the home side to play freely and beat up the dragons in open play. Dynamic with ball in hand and solid in defence Douglas gave a solid account of himself.
7. Josh Macleod (C)-7
Macleod led from the front for his side and was so dynamic in attack it was always leaving the Scarlets on the front foot with ball in hand. Grabbed himself a try for his efforts and aided his side massively around the pitch.
8. Taine Plumtree-7
Plumtree was slightly unlucky with his yellow card but apart from the the young back rower really failed to put a foot wrong. He was busy with ball in hand and in defence he was never shy from the action.
9. Gareth Davies-7
Davies had a textbook game at scrum half and was a real pain for the Dragons in the 50-minutes he played. Distribution was clean and kicking was neat and tidy so not much Davies could complain about.
10. Sam Costelow-7
Costelow enjoyed himself at the Parc Y Scarlets with a first half full of attacking chances for the home side with their flyhalf at the wheel of their efforts. A 75% conversion rate and a penalty to boot is more than a good performance from Costelow.
11. Blair Murray-8
Grabbed two tries in the first half and looked exciting when he got the ball albeit a quiter game for Murray but overall his performance was one the young winger would be happy with.
12. Johnny Williams-6
Williams was more than busy in attack and gave the Scarlets different options with the ball whether it was his hard carriers for a second play maker option.
13. Joe Roberts-7
Roberts was exciting to watch both in attack and defence. He very rarely put a foot wrong and that consistancy really helped the home side in their cruise to victory.
14. Ellis Mee-6
Mee grabbed himself a try and looked exciting when he got the ball in hand and kept the Dragons defence on their toes.
15. Tom Rogers-7
Rogers looked comfortable at fullback after being shifted from his usual wing by the return of Murray but gave a great display from 15. Under the high ball he was his reliable self and controlled the backfield really well.
Replacements-
16. Shaun Evans-6
17. Kemsley Mathias-6
18. Archer Holz-5
19. Vaea Fifita-6
20. Jarrod Taylor-6
21. Archie Hughes-7
22. Ioan Lloyd-7
23. Eddie James-6
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