The Ospreys tore in to the home team from the start and got their reward on 20 minutes when Wales captain Carys Phillips crashed over from close range. Talented young outside half Keighley Powell added the conversion.
With the potent attack of the Ospreys it was no surprise when No.8 Siwan Lillicrap increased her team’s lead by grounding the ball after another powerful surge from the visiting pack. Powell once again added the extras.
As the half progressed there was a sense that the team in red were growing into the game. This was proven the case when with only three minutes left of the half the home team struck through Olympian Jasmin Joyce, whose try left Scarlets trailing 5-14 at the break.
The second half exploded into life on the hour. The Scarlets scrum had begun to gain parity. This allowed the Scarlets back row and three quarters to have more influence on the game. After a typical drive, a quick ruck saw the ball spread wide and full back Mari Griffiths cut the line to score.
The Scarlets once again attacked from the restart. The home team were awarded a penalty from the breakdown. Lively scrum half Ffion Lewis took a quick tap only to be tackled by Ospreys winger, Lauren Weaver within 10m which led to a yellow card for the latter. The home team opted to kick to touch and from the resulting lineout, the Scarlets forwards drove the visiting pack over the line to allow Butchers to score and put her team into the lead for the first time.
The Scarlets were now in full flow. From another driving lineout the ball was spread along the backline and with the Ospreys defence at full stretch, centre Jami Davies sliced through to race in under the posts from 40 metres. The conversion was kicked by 17-year-old Lleucu George, making her debut for the Scarlets senior team.
Any thoughts that this game was over were soon dispelled by the Ospreys forwards as they charged into their opponents from the restart. After numerous phases Lillicrap crashed over for her second of the day with less than five minutes on the clock to keep the game alive.
The Scarlets then charged up to the Ospreys line. Scrum half Lewis crossed the line for the home team, but the ball was held up by the resolute defence of the visitors. From the resulting scrum the Scarlets charged the Ospreys line.
With time seemingly up, the home team moved the ball wide and when the ball was turned over, the Ospreys had nothing to lose and attacked from virtually their own try line. The forwards set up several quick rucks eventually getting the ball to replacement winger Emma Hennessey who sped up the line.
An outstanding cover tackle by replacement Lisa Neumann halted Hennessey in full stride, but her off-load found its way to the outstanding Powell, who outstripped the cover defence to score with the last play of the game to sink Scarlets hopes.
Results:
Women’s Regional Championship
Scarlets 22 24 Ospreys
Dragons 12 38 Cardiff Blues
Girls U18 Regional Championship
Scarlets 22 14 Ospreys
Dragons 12 49 Cardiff Blues
