The Wales hooker has been sidelined since the end of September with a neck injury, but made a successful return in the West Walians 27-18 triumph over the Exiles at Parc Y Scarlets on Saturday night.
He said: “I felt okay, I think got my second wind about five minutes before the end and felt fresh for the final two minutes or so! It was good to get the blowout and hopefully I can build over the next couple of weeks ahead of the big league matches.
“The neck hasn’t been the issue, it has been my arm strength as a result of the nerve damage — that has taken a big longer to get right. I know I have got plenty to work on over the next couple of weeks, but it was just good to get that initial hit out.”
The Scarlets held out whilst Owens and Steven Shingler were in the sin-bin after two yellow cards in as many minutes at the end of the first-half. Harry Robinson ducked and dodged his way to the line to set the Scarlets scoring spree off before Rhodri Williams darted downfield to set up Adam Warren.
A comedy of Exiles errors gifted Kyle Evans the Scarlets’ third try after Tom Homer spilled the ball on his own line, before Theo Brophy-Clews scored a consolation for the English side. And Owens was pleased to be on the winning side on his comeback.
He said: ”It was good to be back. It was a tough game, but I thought we got our reward in the second half. It was a good win against a tough Irish side.”
