The Ospreys were seeking to clinch their third title in four years whilst the Scarlets were looking to retain the championship they won last season. However, it was the team in red that came away with the spoils by outscoring their opponents by four tries to two, in the process clinching a bonus point win.
The Scarlets opened the scoring through the ever reliable boot of outside half and captain, Jodie Evans.
The Scarlets extended their lead 10 minutes later when Jami Davies powered her way across the line to score under the posts. Evans adding the extras.
The Scarlets were dominating territory ad possession and when on 28 minutes the Ospreys conceded a penalty, it was well within Evans’ range allowing the Scarlets captain to yet further increase the lead.
Powerful running from Ospreys captain Bethan Howell and back row forward Amy Thomas drove the Scarlets back to their own line. After another strong run by Howell, the ball was fed to flanker Mel Clay, who stretched out to ground the ball from close in. Bethan Preece converting the try.
Karen Mayze danced her way through the Ospreys defence to score to give the Scarlets an 18-7 halftime lead.
Scarlets pressure soon told when the Ospreys were penalized at a scrum and Evans resumed normal service with the boot to record her third successful penalty of the day to further extend the Scarlets lead.
Winger Brittony Price then showed great skill and agility to ground the ball in the corner from the narrowest of margins.
With 10 minutes of the game left, the Scarlets put any quashed any possiblity of an unlikely comeback when after excellent interplay between forwards and backs the ball was fed to flanker Delyth Davies who powered over the line to score under the posts. Evans adding the extras to give the Scarlets an unassailable 33-7 lead.
The scoring however was not over, the never say die attitude of the Ospreys came to the fore as captain Howells again led the charge up field. When the Ospreys pack was pulled down just short of the Scarlets try line, the ball was passed to outside half Bethan Preece who sliced through the defence to score with the last play of the game. Once Preece converted her own try, the referee blew the final whistle and the celebrations could begin on what was a red letter day for the Scarlets region.
“I’m so proud of all of the players who have contributed to this season’s campaign in both phases of the season,” said Scarlets coach, Daryl Morgan. “Last season’s championship was based around an outstanding team, but this year’s it’s been all about the depth of talent that we’ve got in the region and everyone pulling together to achieve this.”
