LAST UPDATE | 5 May 2018
REIGNING CHAMPIONS SCARLETS were too powerful a force for the Cheetahs as they advanced to the Pro14 semi-finals with a 43-8 victory.
Wayne Pivac’s side scored three tries in each half and looked clinical from the off as Steff Evans crossed to open up an early lead.
A thrilling try from Leigh Halfpenny ensured the hosts in Parc y Scarlets kept the South African’s at arm’s length and the lead was 17-3 approaching the interval when Evans produced an individual moment of brilliance to set up a procession of a second half.
After Tadhg Beirne’s tackle and Rob Evans’ strip brought a turnover, Evans raided the fractured defence, breaking the line and stepping out of a tackle before grubbering beyond the last defender and winning the race to touch down.
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Another terrific try kick-started the second half to bring Scarlets’ advantage from 24-3 to 31-3 with the flick of Scott Williams’ wrist setting Tom Prydie away after a slick set-play off the line-out.
Tries from James Davies and Jonathan Evans brought the tally up to 43 by the hour mark and, with a semi-final spot against Glasgow Warriors secured for Friday 18 May, the foot came off the pedal.
The Cheetahs grabbed a consolation try before the close, Scarlets-bound Clayton Blommetjies touching down five minutes from time.
It really will be the best 4 this year. Any one of them can win it.
@Chris Mc: I think the Pro14 is the best league in Europe at present.
@Conor Alexander Lynott: it could be, there is still too many games where sides do not field close to their strongest side. The interpros are a joke sometimes as are some of the sides sent to away games.
@Chris Mc: it’s called squad rotation. If they played their best side every week they’d all get injured and there’d be no depth
@Rudiger McMonihan: there’s a difference in playing a strong side one week and a full seconds a week later. If it was 3-5 players that’s fine but how can you justify charging into a game where one side haven’t bothered to bring any of their better players.
@Chris Mc: Not the case. All the players in the squad must get game time and young players need to be brought through to senior level.
3 champions cup semifinal teams in the pro12 semifinals. Not bad!
@Rudiger McMonihan: excellent point
@Rudiger McMonihan: wait and you see the English and French try to change the format again
Are ye mad, no team will beat Leinster and I am a die hard Munster man. Some times you have to except that Leinster are just fantastic. Leinster are being coached by arguably the best coach in club rugby and they are giving him a conveyor belt of talented men to use.
@Jody Drennan: I disagree. If leinster win next Saturday they are gonna be a Completely different team against munster in the semi. Yes they have an unbelievable squad but munster will be well up for it and leinster could be a little pre occupied after the celebrations(hopefully)