Scarlets move up after win over Welsh rivals

Llanelli 30 Ospreys 17

Llanelli revitalised their Celtic League ambitions with a well-earned victory over their arch-rivals in an enthralling west Wales derby at Stradey Park.

First-half tries by Lee Byrne and Regan King proved the difference to give the Scarlets a confidence-boosting victory ahead of next weekend’s Powergen Cup final at Twickenham.

They were made to work hard for their points by a stubborn Ospreys outfit who refused to throw in the towel – but in the end were well worth the four winning points.

Scarlets looked like pulling away with the contest early in the second half, but were twice reduced to 13 men and in the end had to hold off a feisty Ospreys rearguard.

Much had been made in the build-up to this match about the return to Stradey of Wales pin-up Gavin Henson.

Henson had made a number of derogatory comments about individuals in the Scarlets squad in his controversial autobiography ’My Grand Slam Year’.

It meant every move the British Lion made was followed by a chorus of boos and jeers, although he managed to ignore them sufficiently to give his side the lead after just two minutes with a well-struck penalty.

Scarlets, who have not given up hope of lifting the Celtic League title for a second time, struck back almost immediately.

A scything break by American fly-half Mike Hercus cut open the Ospreys defence and his superb long pass found Byrne racing on at pace and into the corner.

Hercus almost created a second score soon after but Dafydd James’ touchdown was ruled out for a forward pass.

Instead the Scarlets had to be content with a penalty from the fly-half, although Henson reduced the arrears to 8-6 with his second success soon after.

Full-back Barry Davies and Henson swapped further penalties and the game caught light again when veteran prop John Davies was sin-binned for a moment of rash indiscipline.

After Hercus was taken out by a late challenge from Ospreys full-back Stefan Terblanche, Davies came haring over to shove the Springbok and referee Phil Fear had no hesitation in showing yellow to the tighthead.

But with the game delicately poised at 11-9, the Stradey faithful were on their feet when a breakout from their own 22 saw Kiwi centre King cross under the posts.

Hercus was again the architect in setting James free on the left – and some slick handling put the All Black clear for a memorable score.

The simple Hercus conversion gave the Scarlets an 18-9 advantage at the break, although he missed a relatively straightforward chance to make it 21-9 soon after the turnaround.

Davies, from halfway, made no mistake on 51 minutes before the Ospreys were handed an opportunity to claw their way back into the contest when skipper Simon Easterby was sin-binned for killing the ball at a ruck.

Great handling between backs and forwards saw them lay siege to the home line and finally Terblanche was on hand to dive in at the corner.

Hercus eased Llanelli nerves with another penalty, Henson kept them in touch with his fourth success of the night, but a clean drop-goal strike from the American two minutes from team ensured the Scarlets held bragging rights, for the time being at least.