In a breathless and physical contest, a Davies double and a second-half effort for Johnny Williams proved to be enough despite a pair of tries for Cardiff winger Harri Millard.
Ill-discipline nearly cost Dwayne Peel’s side for the second time in three weeks as Sam Lousi, Tom Rogers, and captain Josh Macleod would all spend time in the sin bin. The 13 men in red, however, would hold firm to gain their first victory of the season.
In a competitive and physical encounter, Scarlets started the brighter of the two regions forcing an early six-point lead through the boot of fly-half Ioan Lloyd.
Ill-discipline then would be the bugbear for head coach Peel as his side would be left a man down with Sam Lousi sent to the bin for an off-the-ball infringement in the ruck.
Cardiff would seize the opportunity and within minutes would score the game’s first try. Millard sprinting clear on the counter after neat work from Dan Thomas.
The west Wallians would have the better of the first 40 with ball in hand and back to a full compliment would re-take the lead.
Scrum-half Davies finishing a flowing move from close-range for his third try in two games after Marnus Van der Merwe had taken out several Blues defenders with a mazy run.
Cardiff though would have the power game and punish errors from Peel’s side and on the stroke of half-time would find themselves in front once more. Millard showing fine finishing skills to score his second of the game in the left-corner after Cam Winnott’s long pass had picked a gap.
In a topsy-turvy encounter, it would be the visitors who would start quicker after the re-start and Davies a thorn in the Blues side in recent times would be in once more.
The veteran Wales man scoring a brace for the second year running at the Arms Park after Lloyd’s silky run had created space off the ruck.
It would be a turning point for the Scarlets and with their tails up Peel’s side would add breathing room to the scoreline. Centres Eddie James and Williams combing with the former drawing in defenders before offloading to the latter to scoring between the posts.
Cardiff to their credit would battle hard and with their physical game would continue to test the Scarlets backline. Rogers would be the second man in the bin for blocking an almost certain try.
With the extra man, Matt Sherratt’s side would strike with the iron hot. The driving maul collapsing one to man times for referee Craig Evans who would award a penalty try and also send Scarlets skipper Macleod to the sin bin.
It would be another pressure cooker scenario for Peel’s side to defend out the last ten minutes under the cosh but this time one they would be up to. Blair Murray producing an outstanding cover tackle to deny speedster Gabriel Hamer-Webb.
Unlike against Benetton and last week in Connacht, Peel’s side would hold out to earn a vital and first win of the season.
Scarlets XV:
Ioan Nicholas, Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Eddie James, Blair Murray; Ioan Lloyd, Gareth Davies
Kemsley Mathias, Marnus van der Merwe, Henry Thomas, Sam Lousi, Alex Craig, Josh Macleod (captain), Dan Davis, Taine Plumtree.
Replacements:
Ryan Elias, Alec Hepburn, Sam Wainwright, Jac Price, Carwyn Tuipulotu, Efan Jones, Sam Costelow, Macs Page.
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
