After a scoreless first period, where the Ospreys soaked up sustained pressure from the home side keen to avenge their thumping 31-9 loss just last month the Booth’s side would prove to be the more clinical of the two regions.
It would be the Scarlets who would breakthrough first though with Gareth Davies’ interception try following the restart reward for their early dominance.
That seemed to galvanise the Ospreys who in a 15 period of dominance turned the game on its head with tries from Reuben Morgan-Williams and Sam Parry causing the damage and ultimately putting the game to bed.
To their credit, the Scarlets fought to the end and came close to levelling but a last-ditch tackle from Luke Morgan would deny Scarlets back-row Ben Williams in the corner with both teams reduced to 14 men.
It would then be the Ospreys who would take the bragging rights back across the bridge to Swansea with Jack Walsh scoring with the last attack of the game as the Scarlets poured forward, much to the delight of a very satisfied Booth.
“It was a very spirited confrontational game. In the first-half if we are being honest with ourselves, we were a bit messy, said Booth.
“We spoke at half-time to clear up that and once we sorted that out, we were more accurate and managed to get that key ten-point lead and then pushed on from there.
“I thought the defence was great. There’s some of those sets in there where we have no right to win.
“I know everyone will talk about the missed goal kicks and the pressure we were under, but we stayed resilient in the things we could control.
“For me, it was epitomised with Luke Morgan’s try-saving collision which is a good indicator of the group and I’m delighted with that side of the performance.
“I didn’t know about that [not winning in Llanelli in eight years] until this week. We then put some attention on that because we knew the Scarlets would be very emotional about it and take pride in it and quite rightly so.
“It’s a great feather in the cap for the lads that they found a way to win. The biggest positive to us is what it means to our supporters because they have had to endure that. Now we can wipe the slate clean and start again.”
Booth also praised the performance of youngsters James Fender and Morgan Morse. Lock Fender who picked up the man of the match accolade particularly impressing the Ospreys head-coach with his performances whilst others have been on the sidelines.
“He [James Fender] has grabbed his opportunity really well,” continued Booth.
“There’s been a lot of injured within our ranks he has seized the opportunity. He is a young player and an exciting talent and is playing well.
“Morgan Morse has been great. Everyone has seen what he has done with the Wales under-20s. He has so much growth in him and is an exciting prospect that we enjoy coaching.
“Our captain [Morgan Morris] is injured and we thought he might have got back for last week and this week but were hopeful he will be back for next.
“He has a calf injury though and they are difficult to monitor, especially for back-rowers who have to put a large shift in. You have to go deep into the contest, so you have to air on the side of caution.”
[Lead image: Ospreys Rugby]
