In a must win game for both sides, it was Scarlets who overcame rivals Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday. After a thrilling first period of attacking rugby, Scarlets’ Aled Thomas sealed the win for Wayne Pivac’s men with four second-half penalties.
It was Scarlets who broke the deadlock through a Dan Jones penalty just six minutes in, but Ospreys quickly cancelled it out through a sublime Josh Matavesi try, which Sam Davies successfully converted.
The home side furthered their lead via Davies’s boot, however, following a powerful break from scrum-half Gareth Davies, Scarlets winger DTH van der Merwe was there to finish in the corner. Jones then added the extras to level the score.
Another penalty a piece for each side before the interval sent the two Welsh rivals in at half-time at 13-13.
It was a tight and feisty second period, but there was little try scoring opportunities. Instead, penalty kicks shaped the game, with substitute Aled Thomas kicking two penalties over, before Davies replied with one for the Ospreys.
The home side gave away yet another penalty with just five minuets left, which Thomas successfully kicked to effectively seal the points for Scarlets. Thomas then added another three points in the last play of the game to ensure Ospreys didn’t earn, what would have been, a vital bonus point.
Ospreys: Try – Matavesi. Con – Davies (1). Pen – Davies (3)
Scarlets: Try – Van der Merwe. Con – Jones (1). Pen – Jones (2) Thomas (4)
