Kok hat-trick helps Sharks edge Scarlets

United Rugby Championship: Scarlets v Sharks

Scarlets (13) 27

Tries: Elias, Mathias, Nicholas Cons: Costelow 3 Pens: Costelow 2

Sharks: (17) 32

Tries: Kok 3, Koch Cons: Masuku 3 Pens: Masuku 2

A hat-trick by Sharks wing Werner Kok proved enough to deny a late Scarlets comeback in Friday's United Rugby Championship (URC) clash.

Kok, making his 50th appearance for the South African side, scored the opening try at Parc y Scarlets before Ryan Elias replied for the home side.

Springbok Vincent Koch's score was then matched by opposite number Kemsley Mathias as Scarlets continued to peg Sharks back.

But Kok twice gathered cross-field kicks by player of the match Siya Masuku in the second half for the bonus point.

Ioan Nicholas, who had a hand in both earlier home tries, then crossed late for a deserved try to set up a tense climax only for Scarlets to fall just short.

Nicholas was among several positives in a much-improved Scarlets display that saw them lead 13-10 in the first half and level 20-20 in the second.

But the sheer power of a Test-level Sharks pack proved the difference as they claimed a first away victory in the league for 14 months.

These teams kicked off 14th and 13th in the table but had very different motivations.

Scarlets, now with just one win in their last seven games, are desperately trying to salvage something from their miserable season and take something positive into the summer.

Sharks clearly used this game as a warm-up for next week's European Challenge Cup semi-final, fielding a line-up packed with Springboks including captain Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi and Eben Etzebeth.

It was also a contrast in strengths.

Ox Nche and Koch ensured Sharks dominated the set-pieces from which they scored tries at the start and end of the first half.

Wing Kok was left with an easy finish after a Scarlets defensive mix-up from a line-out, before prop Koch finished a series of drives that began with a scrum penalty.

But Scarlets looked threatening from open play between those scores, not least Nicholas who created a try out of nothing.

The full-back caught a high ball and stepped out of three tackles before sending Tomi Lewis tearing up the left wing, with hooker Elias sliding over.

Masuku nudged Sharks 20-13 ahead with a penalty early in the second half, but Johnny Williams was at the centre of a resilient Scarlets defence and then a response of their own.

Lewis was just beaten to a score by Aphelele Fassi but moments later, Nicholas and Williams combined before Mathias powered over.

The prop was injured in the process but Sam Costelow's conversion levelled the scores at 20-20 on 52 minutes.

But the fly-half was harshly penalised at a breakdown and opposite number Masuku finally landed the cross-field kick at the third attempt for Kok's second.

The pair combined again for Kok to complete his hat-trick, before Nicholas squeezed over following Kieran Hardy's burst to set up a rousing finale that fell short but at least earned Scarlets a losing bonus point.

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said: "We fought hard for the full 80 minutes and there were elements to be proud of. The challenge is to keep that level of consistency for the rest of the season.

"Defensively we were particularly strong at the maul where we were up against the Springbok front five. But we dealt with that and played with some freedom.

"Looking at the team sheet, some people may not have given us much of a chance. While we're not happy with losing, it just felt a different atmosphere here tonight with the fans."

Scarlets: Ioan Nicholas; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Eddie James, Tomi Lewis; Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies; Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias (capt), Sam Wainwright, Morgan Jones, Sam Lousi, Taine Plumtree, Dan Davis, Vaea Fifita.

Replacements: Shaun Evans, Steff Thomas, Harri O’Connor, Jac Price, Carwyn Tuipulotu, Kieran Hardy, Dan Jones, Ryan Conbeer.

Sharks: Aphelele Fassi; Werner Kok, Lukhanyo Am (capt), Ethan Hooker, Makazole Mapimpi; Siya Masuku, Grant Williams; Ox Nche, Fez Mbatha, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Emile van Heerden, Phepsi Buthelezi, Lappies Labuschagne, Vincent Tshituka.

Replacements: Kerron van Vuuren, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Hanro Jacobs, Corne Rahl, Gerbrandt Grobler, Jaden Hendrikse, Boeta Chamberlain, Francois Venter

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU).

Assistant referees: Ben Breakspear and Dewi Phillips (WRU).

TMO: David Sutherland (SRU).