A brace of tries from back row forward Alisha Butchers, along with a 13 point haul from the ever reliable Jodie Evans ensured the Scarlets repelled a determined Blues effort, who will feel hard done with the final score-line.
Jess Kavanagh Williams, Hannah Jones, Steph Harries and Dyddgu Hywel added tries for the victors, in what was a tough and uncompromising, yet highly entertaining game of rugby.
The Scarlets got off to the perfect start after four minutes when Butchers crossed for the opening score. Evans added the extras.
The Blues were justly rewarded when on the quarter hour mark, loose head prop Lily Snape stormed over for the Blues.
Ten minutes later Butchers was on hand to record her second try of the afternoon, a virtual carbon copy of the first. Again Evans converted to give the Scarlets a 14-5 lead.
Once again from the kick off, the Blues hit back. After some close exchanges prop Nia Jones crashed over from close range. Outside half Megan Goddard converted the try to put the Blues to within two points of the Scarlets.
From a line out, the ball found its way to outside half Evans who scythed her way through the Blues defensive line to score a quite brilliant individual try under the posts. She duly converted her own score to give the Scarlets a 26-12 half time lead.
Soon after the break. Scarlets centre Hannah Jones kicked the loose ball through and was quick enough to ground the ball. Evans slotted her fourth conversion of the afternoon.
All afternoon, the Scarlets seemed indecisive from the kick off and were made to pay when replacement prop Megan Lowry grounded the ball over the line. Goddard added the conversion.
Rafike Taylor sliced open the Scarlets defensive line and sprinted away to score. Once again Goddard was accurate with her goal kick.
Silky play between the Scarlets forwards and backs saw the ball released to Hywel, who tore through the Blues cover defence to score in the right hand corner.
At this point the Scarlets made some telling substitutions, replacing virtually the entire front row, which finally brought some power and control into their game.
After some excellent inter-passing between forwards and backs, the ball found its way to Jones who sold an audacious dummy and raced up the pitch only to be brought down within inches of the try line by an excellent cover tackle. Centre Steph Harries was on hand to receive Jones’ off-load and secured the victory for the Scarlets.
