Scarlets survived a second-half scare from bottom-of-the-table Benetton Treviso as Steffan Evans inspired a 24-15 victory at Parc y Scarlets.

The Welsh region raced to a 14-0 lead inside the opening quarter after a superb Steffan Evans finish and James Davies score soon after.

But Robert Barbieri’s double in the second period saw the visitors go ahead only for Dan Jones’ penalty and a second try for Steffan Evans to save Scarlets’ blushes and boost their GUINNESS PRO12 play-off hopes.

Scarlets’ last three matches in the GUINNESS PRO12 had all been decided by a solitary point, with seven of their last eight contests separated by a winning margin of just two points.

But they made a strong start with the first score of the game coming after 13 minutes. Captain Hadleigh Parkes did well to gain yards and stay on his feet long enough for support to arrive and when the ball was moved to Steffan Evans, the wing beat four defenders on his way to a glorious score under the posts – leaving Aled Thomas with a simple conversion.

And it only took a matter of minutes for the lead to be extended when Parkes turned down the chance to kick for goal in favour of the corner and the power of the pack saw James Davies dot down for his sixth GUINNESS PRO12 try of the season after checking with the TMO Derek Bevan. Thomas again added the extras to make it 14-0.

Scarlets’s fine start was no doubt boosted by the return of Wales internationals Aled Davies and JakeBall, Scotland’s John Barclay at No.8 and winger DTH van der Merwe.

But while Treviso are bottom of the table, they have recently beaten Newport Gwent Dragons and Cardiff Blues and narrowly lost to Munster last weekend.

And they could have been level – if not ahead – at half-time had they been more clinical.

The lively start continued when Treviso’s Jayden Hayward reduced the deficit with a penalty two minutes after Scarlets’ second try and the full-back looked to have set his side on their way to their first score with a two-on-one, only for Parkes to make a try-saving tackle.

The visitors almost scored again before the half an hour mark when Barbieri thought he had the ball down over the line but after a host of bodies piled in, the TMO decided the No.8 was held up.

Treviso’s hopes of a fightback were dealt a blow in the second half when Alberto Lucchese left referee John Lacey with no option but to give the official’s first yellow card of the season in his 50th GUINNESS PRO12 match, as the scrum-half cynically went off his feet.

And Scarlets should have made them pay immediately when Parkes had overlaps on either side as he burst through but the game’s standout performer decided to go it alone and the chance was wasted.

But it was the 14 men of Treviso who were to grab the next try as a mistake at the Scarlets’ lineout allowed Barbieri to touch down to make it 14-8, with Hayward missing the conversion.

The Italian side now had a spring in their steps and moments after they were back up to full complement, Barbieri read debutant Connor Lloyd’s pass out the back of the ruck and he ran in unopposed for his second try in four minutes; leaving Hayward to kick his team into a 15-14 lead.

But Scarlets were able to regain their advantage with 13 minutes remaining when they were awarded a penalty and Dan Jones slotted between the posts.

And the hosts were given breathing space when Steffan Evans scored a deserved second try after Regan King and Parkes showed quick hands and the winger used his feet well once again to beat a couple of defenders.

Jones’ superb kick moved Scarlets to 24-15 as they regained their composure after the Treviso fightback and saw out the remaining eight minutes.

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