Townsend injured as Borders go down to Llanelli
Borders 15 Llanelli 24
Comeback hero Gregor Townsend faces a long spell on the sidelines after picking up an ankle injury while setting up a try at Netherdale.
Scotland’s most-capped player had vowed to make an instant impression in his first competitive hometown appearance after his return move from France.
But the crowd’s cheers turned to frowns of worry when Townsend was carried off just 10 minutes into the clash with the Scarlets.
The stand-off had been trapped in a pile of bodies when he was hauled to the turf just inches short of the line at the end of a thrilling 30-metre surge.
Breakaway forward Kelly Brown was perfectly positioned to claim the touchdown when the ball was slickly recycled – but there was no celebration as medics raced on to the pitch to attend to the veteran playmaker. He was taken to hospital in nearby Melrose for scans.
Townsend’s mishap contributed to yet another dose of frustration for Steve Bates’ men, who had been upbeat about their prospects of pinning Llanelli to the league basement.
Reivers had made a bright start with Charlie Hore confidently slotting a penalty for diving in illegally at a ruck.
The lead lasted only three minutes, however, as USA marksman Mike Hercus slotted the equaliser.
Callum MacRae came on for the stricken Townsend with Hore switching to outside half and despite being reduced to 14 men it was Llanelli who seized the initiative in the build-up to the interval.
Dave Duley, who had come on as a blood substitute, was yellow carded for a rucking infringement and his departure seemed to stir the Scarlets into attacking action.
They put the Reivers defence under heavy pressure and there was no answer when prop John Davies was driven over by his pack-mates.
Hercus was wide with the conversion, but he made ample amends in the 38th minute by banging over his second penalty.
Worse was to come for the Scots when long-range specialist Barry Davies powered over another accurate kick from almost 60 metres.
Play became bogged down in midfield after the restart with the Llanelli forwards controlling matters.
Winger Simon Danielli gave the home fans a brief moment of anticipation when he made a strong break, but he had no support and was blocked before entering the danger zone.
The Scarlets were again short-handed when Iestyn Thomas was sent to the sin-bin for illegally halting a forward drive, however still the Reivers did not look likely to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Lions scrum half Chris Cusiter was the most potent threat and he wrestled his way to within a few paces of the target before being scragged.
Having survived without Thomas, the Scarlets began to up the tempo and they effectively claimed the glory when Hercus chipped over an opportunist drop goal.
In a frantic finale, Aisea Havili barged over for another Llanelli try, goaled by Hercus – then Hore added the extra points to a consolation effort for the Reivers by Ben MacDougall.
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