Scarlets (0) 11
Tries: G. Davies Cons: Pens: Lloyd (2)
Ospreys (0) 25
Tries: Morgan-Williams, Parry, Walsh Cons: O Williams (2) Pens: O Williams DG O Williams
After a strong first half from the home side, the Scarlets had looked the better of the two regions in the first 40 but would lack a clinical edge. Ioan Lloyd particularly wasteful with the boot as the Ospreys defense would stand resolutely.
Despite the Scarlets taking the lead through scrum-half Gareth Davies’ interception try straight after the restart, The Ospreys would punish the home side’s poor finishing. Tries from Reuben Morgan-Williams, Sam Parry and a late Jack Walsh score sending the home side to an eighth defeat in ten matches this season.
Both sides came into the derby match looking to bounce back from European disappointment last weekend. The Scarlets 23-7 defeat in the EPCR Challenge Cup against minnows Black Lion leaving a bitter taste in their mouths, having lost seven games in nine matches this campaign.
One of those was the thumping 31-9 loss against their great rivals just last month, a game the Llanelli-based region would be keen to avenge to kick-start their season and take pressure off under fire head-coach Dwayne Peel.
In what Peel called his sides ‘biggest game of the season’ there would be seven changes from the defeat against the Georgians. Fly-half Sam Costelow’s late hamstring withdrawal, however, would not be ideal preparation for the match after flanker Vaea Fifta had already joined the growing list of casualties in the treatment room last weekend with a calf problem.
A welcome boost saw captain Josh Macleod start at eight for the first time this season, influential Tongan Sam Lousi would come back into the side from injury on the flank, whilst Wales international prop Kemsley Mathias and centre Joe Roberts would start after recovering from respective problems.
The Ospreys would also be reeling from what head-coach Toby Booth had recently called the ‘collateral damage’ of a small squad with news that Wales captain Jac Morgan would be out for a significant period of time. A knee injury threatening the flanker’s involvement in both their near future European games and Wales’ forthcoming Six Nations campaign.
Equally desperate to gain a result, the Swansea-based region would look to improve on the ill-discipline and frustration in the south of France in the 38-5 defeat against Montpellier. Booth’s side’s chances of picking up a first West-Wales derby win since 2014 though would be hampered by also being without the physicality of two of his try scorers of their recent victory in Swansea over the Scarlets in centre Keiran Williams and back row Morgan Morris.
There would be three changes in all from last week for Booth with Nicky Smith’s shoulder injury meaning a start for Wales teammate Gareth Thomas, Number eight Morgan Morse would also come in for namesake Morris, whilst Rhys Davies would return from injury at six.
On a crisp dry winter’s evening in front of a full house in Llanelli, it would be the home side who would start the stronger of the two sides. The Ospreys penned deep in their half having to be resolute in defense to hold off several phases of play.
A trio of missed kicks from Ioan Lloyd, with one clipping the woodwork would be wasteful as the Scarlets would be unable to take advantage of their dominance in play.
The Ospreys would grow and enjoy their best spell but would find the home side a much tougher nut to crack holding up their driving maul that had been so successful just four weeks previous.
In a pointless half lacking penetration and fluidity in the final third, Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies would come the closest for the hosts trying to find a gap on the Ospreys line but unable to find a way through.
The visitors would breakthrough though minutes after the re-start, but it would be all through the Ospreys undoing.
Davies pouncing on a misplaced pass on halfway to accelerate and sprint clear to open the scoring in the corner. Lloyd’s poor afternoon with the boot though continuing with the fly-half dragging his conversion attempt wide of the posts.
The Ospreys though would respond minutes later. Morgan-Williams would be the beneficiary of strong forward play after several phases to score for the second week running under the posts after Jack Walsh’s break.
Full of confidence and energy the visitors would be held up by the Scarlets but would extend their lead through the boot of Owen Williams. A well-executed drop goal from midway in the Scarlets half sending Booth’s side into an eight-point advantage.
Back though would come the Scarlets with the energy of the crowd roaring on their side Lloyd’s penalty reducing the deficit as the visitors would be reduced to 14. Owen Watkin sent to the sin bin for killing the ball.
With the iron hot the Scarlets could not take advantage seeing captain Macleod sent to the sin bin for a no arm tackle.
The Ospreys would then clinically score the decisive try with five minutes remaining, Parry powering over in the corner after a period of sustained pressure on the Scarlets defence.
The Scarlets thought they had reduced the deficit late with Ben Williams stretching to the corner, but after a long delay for TMO, it would be decided the ball had not been grounded and Luke Morgan had held up the flanker.
It would be a decisive blow for the home side as despite a further penalty for Lloyd the Ospreys would add salt into the wounds with Walsh on hand to score with the final action of the game to complete a first league double over their rivals in ten years.
[Lead image Ospreys Rugby]
