Costelow penalty completes Scarlets comeback in 27-26 win over Benetton

Sam Costelow's 78th-minute penalty gave Scarlets a 27-26 victory over Benetton in Llanelli, securing their first United Rugby Championship win of the season. According to BBC Sport Wales, the hosts recovered from a 21-7 half-time deficit before surviving a late Benetton response to claim the result in front of an announced crowd of 6,026.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBet2vR-NDs

The home side had begun brightly, with Sam Lousi scoring after Ellis Mee secured possession from the opening kick-off. Costelow converted, but Benetton took control through three tries before the interval. Siua Maile finished from a driving line-out, Onisi Ratave broke through several attempted tackles and captain Michele Lamaro added the visitors' third. A separate effort from Francois Mey was ruled out after a knock-on was identified in the build-up.

Scarlets changed the course of the match after introducing number eight Fletcher Anderson and experienced scrum-half Gareth Davies. Anderson was making his first appearance of the season following a groin injury. Full-back Blair Murray then intercepted a Lamaro pass and ran 80 metres to score, giving the hosts a route back into a contest that had moved firmly in Benetton's favour.

Macs Page created the next try by recovering his own chip and sending a long pass to Mee, whose finish reduced the deficit to two points. Scarlets subsequently moved ahead when Costelow delivered a cross-kick for Mee to collect and beat Ratave. It was the wing's second try and the home team's fourth, securing a try bonus point as well as the lead.

Benetton were not finished. Louis Lynagh reached a kick from centre Leonardo Marin to score and put the Italian side back in front after Costelow had missed his second conversion. Josh Macleod's turnover penalty in the 76th minute then helped Scarlets advance upfield, setting up the decisive kick two minutes later. Benetton regained possession at the restart, but the hosts protected their narrow advantage.

The outcome spoiled former Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac's return to Llanelli with Benetton. Both teams had entered the match without a league victory: Scarlets had lost to Cardiff and Dragons, while Benetton had drawn with Dragons and lost to Connacht. Murray was named player of the match as Nigel Davies' side finally earned their first win.