Report: Bristol Rugby 26-33 Scarlets

Pat Lam’s men led at the interval courtesy of a Mat Protheroe hat-trick and Dan Thomas’ close-range score.

But the visitors hit back after the break to snatch victory with Rhys Patchell’s eightieth minute effort.

It was the home side who took an early lead as Mat Protheroe stretched over following Jordan Williams’ fine solo break.

Scarlets responded with a try of their own soon after Morgan Williams squeezed over in the corner for an unconverted score.

Bristol Rugby enjoyed the ascendancy during an impressive first period and added a well-worked second, once again through Protheroe, on the quarter hour.

The visitors levelled proceedings when Morgan Williams pounced on a handling error to run in from forty metres, but Dan Thomas’ smart effort from close range edged Bristol back in front.

On the stroke of half time, Protheroe completed his hat-trick when the winger rounded off a slick backline move to fly in under the posts to put Lam’s men 26-12 up at the interval.

Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias bundled his way over on the hour mark to reduce arrears to 26-19 and Steff Evans’ converted try with five minutes remaining on the clock drew the visitors all square.

In the final play of the game, Rhys Patchell accelerated over to secure a late 26-33 victory for Scarlets at the Clifton RFC training base.

Rhys Patchell found space down the outside channel to race in under the posts and confirm a last-gasp victory for the men from West Wales.

Jordan Williams was a livewire in the first half against his former club, creating several gilt-edged opportunities and threatening the Scarlets defence with his sharp running lines.

Bristol Rugby:

FORWARDS: Ross McMillan, Max Crumpton, Jason Harris-Wright, Gaston Cortes, Tyler Gendall, Jack Cosgrove, Soane Tonga’uiha, Anthony Perenise, Jack O’Connell, Joe Joyce, Joe Batley, Joe Latta, John Hawkins, Ehize Ehizode, Nick Fenton-Wells, Olly Robinson, Nick Haining, Dan Thomas, Jordan Crane.

BACKS: Jordan Williams, Mat Protheroe, Ryan Edwards, David Lemi, Luke Morahan, Alapati Leiua, Tusi Pisi, Thretton Palamo, Will Hurrell, Siale Piutau, Tom Varndell, Billy Searle, Callum Sheedy, Ian Madigan, Reiss Cullen, Ryan Glynn, Rhodri Williams.

Scarlets Rugby:

Rhys Jones; Tom Grabham, Paul Asquith, Hadleigh Parkes [c], Morgan Williams; Daniel Jones, Aled Davies; Dylan Evans, Emyr Phillips, Simon Gardiner, David Bulbring, Tom Price, Tom Phillips, Shaun Evans, Josh Macleod.

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Wyn Jones, Werner Kruger, Samson Lee, Lewis Rawlins, Tadhg Beirne, Aaron Shingler, James Davies, Will Boyde, Gareth Davies, Rhys Patchell, Scott Williams, Steff Evans, Tom Prydie, Johnny Mcnicholl.