THE Scarlets were outscored four tries to nil by Gloucester as they made a disappointing start to their pre-season friendlies.

They did not lack energy or initiative and secured plenty of possession, but could not find a way past the stout home defensive line.

Ultimately, their decision to play a running game and ignore kicking opportunities made for an attractive spectacle.

The visitors made the livelier start and looked to have more pace and drive about them than Gloucester in the opening stages.

But Gloucester, even without star names such as Mike Tindall and James Simpson-Daniel, were solid inside their 22 until they broke out in the fifth minute.

The Cherry and Whites opted for a corner kick when they were awarded a 12th-minute penalty and from the ensuing line-out they drove over for a try by flanker Akapusi Qera, which fly-half Tim Taylor converted.

Unlike Gloucester, Scarlets went for the posts when they were awarded two penalty chances by referee David Rose in perfect central positions on the home 22.

Steve Shingler landed both penalties in the 14th and 23rd minutes to draw Scarlets to within a point of their hosts.

A try looked a real possibility for the Scarlets when centre Scott Williams kicked ahead from the halfway line, before overtaking Gloucester winger Charlie Sharples in the race for the ball.

But Gloucester's defenders homed in to thwart the advance on the 22, leaving both Williams and Gareth Maule injured and needing treatment on the field before resuming.

In the 33rd minute the Scarlets again looked impressive as they strung together another sustained series of attacks, recycling the ball quickly and efficiently.

Still the Gloucester defence kept them out and in frustration Shingler tried a drop-goal but went wide.

Five minutes before half-time Gloucester's Jonny May replaced injured wing Lesley Vainikolo and almost immediately posed problems for the visitors.

He kicked ahead over the line but could not reach the ball before it went dead.

In the final moments of the half, he rounded off a Gloucester attack with a flying try in the corner. Taylor went wide with the conversion.

Twelve minutes into the second half Gloucester hooker Darren Dawiduik extended their lead with a try when he drove over from a five-metre line-out.

The final quarter began with a great try for Sharples when he chased a kick ahead to the corner and managed to avoid the flag and a tackle by replacement Dale Ford to touch down. Taylor converted superbly from the sideline.

For most of the final 20 minutes, the Scarlets were camped in the Gloucester 22 and used a succession of penalties to opt for scrums and line-outs rather than take easy points from kicks.

They made it over the line, only to be held up.