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Davies bags two tries as Scarlets punish Kings

The Kings have struggled again in the Guinness PRO14 this season, and they were run ragged by Scarlets in September 2018. Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Centre Jonathan Davies scored two tries as Scarlets overcame a brave first half performance from the Southern Kings to thump their South African opponents 54-14 in their PRO14 clash at the Parc y Scarlets on Saturday.

Centre Paul Asquith, wings Ioan Nicholas and Steff Evans, flank Dan Davis, prop Simon Gardiner and scrumhalf Kieran Hardy also crossed to score for the home side, who held a narrow 21-14 lead at halftime.

Two tries from veteran wing Bjorn Basson had given the Kings some hope in the first half, but they faded badly in the second period and the contest became a rout.

Jonathan Davies scored his first try in the corner after a break from Scarlets flyhalf Rhys Patchell, before Asquith broke through some feeble tackles to dot down a second for the home side.

Basson reduced the deficit midway through the opening period, before Jonathan Davies added a second try as he powered down the middle after more poor defence from the visitors.

Basson added his second to keep the Kings in the hunt at the break, but when Nicholas was put into space by Jonathan Davies to score, the momentum was fully with the home side.

Dan Davis got his try as Scarlets powered over with their forwards from an attacking line-out, while Gardiner showed good strength to hold off three defenders as he barged his way over.

Evans and Hardy added late scores in the final 10 minutes as the Scarlets confirmed their superiority against a well-beaten Kings team.