Their 58-12 final round victory over the Dragons at Ystrad Mynach confirmed their place at the top of the Welsh regional Conference to set-up a repeat of last season’s Guinness PRO14 final between two of the top clubs in European rugby.
The game against the Dragons had to be transferred from Llandovery’s Church Bank ground because of the weather and, on their own artificial surface, the Dragons got off to a flying start. They scored two tries in the opening 10 minutes through wing Calvin Wellington and Jacob Botica’s conversion of the second gave them a 12 point lead.
But once the Scarlets settled they worked their way back into the game and went on to dominate with a bit of help from their hosts. The Dragons fell foul of referee Aled Evans and had three players sent to the sin-bin – loose head Scott Evans in the 24th minute for collapsing the scrum, No 8 Taine Basham for a 57th minute trip and finally lock James Thomas for a tackle in the air with 10 minutes to go.
They conceded a penalty try ahead of Evans’ departure and then a further seven points while the prop was in the bin. While Basham was on the sidelines the Scarlets plundered 19 points and then a further 19 while Thomas was out of the game.
After the penalty try there were scores from scrum half Kieran Hardy, two for his replacement Declan Smith, flanker Shaun Evans, replacement hooker Dafydd Hughes, centre Corey Baldwin and wing Ryan Conbeer. Outside half Jac Wilson kicked 14 points and full back Clayton Blommetjies added a final conversion.
Leinster won by seven tries to three in their 46-25 victory over previously unbeaten Munster to set-up their final appearance. Having been beaten by Ealing Trailfinders in last season’s British & Irish Cup final they will be hoping to get their hands on some silverware to match the dominance of their senior side in the PRO14 and Europe.
Cardiff Blues had thrown down the gauntlet to the Scarlets earlier in the weekend with a 42-17 victory at the Arms Park that briefly took them to the top of the table. No 8 and skipper Alun Lawrence scored the first two of six tries for the home side to ensure the Blues led 21-10 at the break.
Lock Shane Lewis-Hughes also crossed the Ospreys line on the stroke of half-time, while Cameron Lewis, wing Corey Howells and replacement Ioan Davies ran in second half tries. Steve Shingler kicked six conversions, while the Ospreys points came from tries by scrum halves Matthew Aubrey and his replacement Reuben Morgan-Williams with Josh Thomas adding two conversions and a penalty.
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