An experimental Warriors Under 18s side were beaten 33-7 by a strong Scarlets outfit in a friendly at Weston’s pitches earlier today.
Despite a try from Luke Clarke for Warriors, two for Kieran Jones, and one each for Gwion Jones, Shaun Edwards and Gethin Gibby, gave the Welsh youngsters victory on a wet afternoon in Worcester.
Playing in three periods of 20 minutes each, Warriors started the brighter with George Trimmer showing good feet to make ground as the youngsters threatened down the left flank.
Most of the play in the first 20 minutes was contested in the middle of the park but it was the visitors who broke the deadlock when a slick move saw the ball switched wide and a fantastic chip-and-chase allowed winger Gwion Jones to race through before he punted the ball to the line for fellow winger Kieran Jones to touch down.
Mitch Jones converted to give the Welsh side a 7-0 lead.
Warriors almost responded immediately with a superb driving lineout but Scarlets weathered the storm to turn the ball over.
The Welsh region came on the attack with a fine counter but a great recovery tackle from Ryan Scott-Young forced a knock-on to deny the Welsh side’s full-back.
The hosts then surged forward and after exerting the pressure, Scarlets failed to clear their lines and when charged down underneath the posts, Luke Clarke pounced to score with Luke White converting.
Despite Warriors looking menacing, it was the visitors who pinched the lead again before the break following a driving lineout which allowed Shaun Edwards to touch down.
The second 20-minute period saw a downpour and the Welsh side seemed to find an extra gear.
Their scrum-half sent a super kick trickling down the right-hand touchline and the lightning-quick Gwion Jones was on hand to crash over the whitewash. A fine kick from Billy McBride followed to make it 19-7.
And as the rain belted down, opposite wing Kieran Jones ran in his second try skipping down the right flank with McBride again converting.
Another chip-and-chase from Gwion Jones put pressure on the Warriors backline with Scott-Young recovering, but the Welsh side soon raced forward with Gethin Gibby who crashed over the tryline with McBride converting.
For Warriors, the impressive Trimmer had to be taken away in an ambulance after taking a knee to the head, which delayed the game by around 30 minutes before the sides could complete the third period of the match.
Despite the Welsh outfit commanding the second period, Academy Manager Mark Hewitt rung the changes and his side produced a fine final 20-minute spell.
With the sun then shining, Warriors dominated possession and continued to push for the Scarlets tryline.
But on several occasions some important tackles and turnovers prevented the hosts from getting back into the game.
Warriors squad: Seb Dean-Smith, Will Priestly, Charlie Robinson, Jack Lazenby, Justin Clegg, Rory Bateson, Moses Fakatou, Ben Fowles, Juan Passadore, Luke White, Luke Clarke, George Trimmer, Will Hollis, Ryan Scott-Young, Harry Robinson, Joe White, Charlie Morgan, Joe Morris, Ben Davies-Moore, Kalius Hutchinson, Noah Nash, Will Butler, Max Himbury, Jack Helme, George Newman.