Scarlets beat battling Borders

Borders 15 Llanelli Scarlets 26

Borders’ hopes of shaking off their Celtic League run of gloom was wrecked by the Llanelli Scarlets at Netherdale – but they made the champions battle for their win.

New home coach Steve Bates had emphasised the fact that his revamped squad could not have been handed a harder task with which to launch their campaign.

And the first hour of the match followed the form-book, as the champions dominated virtually throughout.

But the Borders refused to buckle completely and looked the stronger outfit in the frantic closing stages.

The contest appeared to be over at the break, by which time the Welshmen had carved out three tries, all converted by Gareth Bowen.

In the opening sparring session, Borders had earned a chance to break the deadlock when the Scarlets wandered offside in their own danger zone.

Kiwi stand-off Charlie Hore, making his competitive debut for the pro-team, connected crisply – but the ball drifted off course and crashed back from the post.

Llanelli made the most of their reprieve by surging up field to seize the initiative.

Bowen sent a pinpoint chip into space, giving left-wing Selesi Finau plenty of time and space to scoop it up and score in the corner.

And they left the Borders foundering with two more touchdowns in quick succession.

First, former Test lock Chris Wyatt was driven over by his powerful pack colleagues – then flanker Gavin Thomas was in the right place at the right time to finish off a sweeping handling move.

Hore was offered another penalty opportunity to claw back three points, but his luck was out again as the 40-metre effort flew wide of the target.

It was the same sad story when Gareth Morton took over the kicking duties before the interval.

Borders came out at the restart with more purpose, but there was another dose of frustration as winger Nikki Walker failed to latch on to an interception with the line at his mercy.

They eventually got off the mark in the 51st minute when ex-Glasgow star Stuart Moffat pounced on a loose ball to dash 35 metres for the try.

Hore then found his touch with the boot to slot a penalty – but any prospect of a shock comeback was snuffed out as Simon Easterby powered through for the fourth Llanelli score.

Borders, however, had the last word when scrum-half Chris Cusiter sneaked in for their second touchdown, goaled by Hore.