South Wales Scorpions gave a good account of themselves in a pre-season friendly loss to Hemel Stags on Saturday February 13, while their under-20s beat an East of England side emphatically.
The Scorpions started well, racing into a 10-0 lead. Half-back Kristian Hawkes, returning to the club after a couple of seasons away, twisted his way over for Scorpions’ opening try which Paul Emanuelli converted.
The second try came three minutes later after Union-convert Dai Evans picked up a pass and ran 50 metres to score. Emanuelli missed the resulting conversion.
Hemel got a try back on 25 minutes when Chad Isles scored following a penalty and six minutes later, after winning a repeat set, Scott Ellis grounded for Hemel. Two Ben Stead conversions put the Stags 12-10 up.
Michael Stewart increased Hemel’s lead in the second half as he scored in the corner.
Despite being behind, the Scorpions showed strength in defence that was lacking last year, but Hemel broke through again with 15 minutes to go when Luke Paterson dived over and Stead converted.
The game looked to be beyond the Scorpions, but following a scrum on Hemel’s 10-metre line, Kyle Scrivens dived over and Emanuelli converted for a final 24-16 result.
Meanwhile, the Scorpions’ U20s blew away their East of England opponents 60-4.
Ethan Coombes grabbed four tries, while Lewys Willacott, Lewis Hughes, Lloyd Selby-Smith and Jake McDonald each scored two.
Jaden Murphy scored the visitors’ consolation try.