Scarlets sink to humiliating loss to European Challenge Cup newcomers Black Lion - 'Taught a lesson'

Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel said his side had been "taught a lesson" after an embarrassing 23-7 home defeat to Challenge Cup newcomers Black Lion as the Georgian side secured their first ever victory in the competition.

The Welsh side went in front early on through Vaea Fifita’s try but did not score after the first four minutes as Peel's men succumbed to a second consecutive defeat in Pool C that leaves their chances of reaching the knockout stages looking bleak.

Scarlets have now lost seven out of nine games in all competitions this season.

“I thought we were poor to be honest,” admitted former Welsh international Peel.

"We were taught a lesson at scrum-time and got penalised at almost every one."

Scarlets were left to rue not making more of a bright start as Gareth Davies played in the returning Fifita to crash over from close range.

The visitors were then reduced to 14 men as Sandro Mamamtavrishvili was sent to the sin bin, but they held on the keep the deficit at just seven points.

Luka Matkava reduced the arrears with a penalty before Miriani Modebadze’s try gave Lion a half-time lead they never relinquished.

Another penalty from Matkava extended the lead and when Beka Mamrikashvili powered over, Scarlets’ fate was sealed.

Matkava added the extras and another three points to rub salt into the home side’s wounds.

Victory lifts Black Lion up to third in the group, after they lost narrowly 15-10 at home to Gloucester on their competition debut last weekend.

Scarlets chances of making the knockout stages are looking slim with a daunting trip to Clermont to come next on January 13 followed by the visit of Edinburgh.

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