Injury-hit Scarlets remain winless after Lions defeat

The Scarlets remain winless in this season's United Rugby Championship as they slipped to a 29-18 defeat to the Lions in Johannesburg.

Dwayne Peel's side were crippled by injuries with 13 players on the sidelines which meant they had to draft in two emergency loan signings who both started in second-rows Harvey Cuckson and Alex Groves. As a result it was no surprise to see them well beaten at Ellis Park as they struggled to cope with the Lions' power and set-piece dominance.

The Lions scored four tries courtesy of Quan Horn, Franco Marais and Morné Brandon (twice) while Chris Smith and Gianni Lombard kicked nine points between them.

All the west Walians could muster was a penalty and a score from Joe Roberts while Sam Costelow added six points from the kicking tee.

The Lions won the first-half 5-3 and would have been further ahead if it wasn't for a series of tremendous turnovers from Scarlets backrower Jarrod Taylor.

Costelow opened the scoring for the Scarlets from the kicking tee but the hosts dominated territory and possession in the first-half.

The Lions thought they had claimed the game's first try when JC Pretorius touched down off the back of a well-worked driving lineout but the score got disallowed after the TMO found evidence of obstruction.

After withstanding some pressure the Scarlets missed a golden opportunity when a long pass from Costelow found Blair Murray on the edge.

The Wales wing passed inside to Taylor who spilled the ball forward with the try line at his mercy.

But the Lions took a 5-3 lead into half-time when full-back Horn crossed at the corner after a nice cross-kick from outside-half Chris Smith.

After the break Smith and Costelow exchanged penalties before Lombard kicked the hosts further ahead.

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