Rhys Patchell shines as Scarlets see off Edinburgh

24 March 2017 09:23

Fly-half Rhys Patchell scored 16 points, including two tries, as Scarlets registered a 26-10 bonus-point victory over Guinness Pro12 rivals Edinburgh.

Prop Wyn Jones and flanker James Davies also crossed for tries, with Patchell - c elebrating his Scarlets return after three months out with an ankle injury - kicking three conversions.

Edinburgh's points came through a try from centre Phil Burleigh and a penalty and conversion from fly-half Duncan Weir.

The home side had made their intentions known as early as the third minute when Patchell ran in from his own half after the Edinburgh midfield had been sucked in by Jonathan Davies' dummy run. Patchell failed to convert.

After Weir opened Edinburgh's account with a penalty, Scarlets resumed their positive approach by scoring two tries in the space of four minutes.

First prop Jones crashed over from an impressive driving maul before James Davies crossed after good work from man of the match Hadleigh Parkes, both tries were converted by Patchell.

Edinburgh grabbed a try from the restart, with Burleigh going over after Aled Davies' attempted kick was charged down.

But two minutes later Scarlets scored again when Patchell went over before adding the extras.

Edinburgh suffered a setback when flanker Viliame Mata was yellow-carded three minutes before the interval.

The second half failed to live up to the first and w ing Steff Evans created Scarlets' best effort, but Jonathan Davies and Aled Davies could not combine for what looked to be a certain try.

Edinburgh went close but Evans got back well to deny full-back Blair Kinghorn.

Source: PA