A physical first half saw the Ospreys turn around 14-3 ahead, backs Ashley Beck and Aisea Natoga crossing with Dan Biggar converting both tries. Rhys Priestland’s penalty was the only score for the Scarlets as Scott Williams kept them in the game with an impressive midfield performance.
The second half turned into a duel between Biggar and Priestland. Both internationals were guiding their sides well and although Priestland booted three penalties to one from Biggar, it was the Ospreys who held on, despite being a man light for most of the final 10 minutes after Natoga was yellow carded.
In a scoreless first quarter of an hour, it was the Scarlets who had the first chance of points. Priestland saw a long range penalty effort fall short while the Ospreys went close when a loose ball was hacked forwards. Both sides were giving everything in the close exchanges, the Scarlets standing up well to the home side’s physicality.
But when the first score arrived, it came for the Ospreys who were indebted to scrum half Rhys Webb. His pick and go saw him race past Sampson Lee and find full back Sam Davies in support. The reigning IRB Junior World Player of the Year looked certain to score but when he was held up, the Ospreys refused to panic. The ball was recycled with Beck picking the ball up to dive over for a score which Biggar easily converted.
With the Ospreys 7-0 up and the rain now lashing down, both sides opted to put boot to ball. The home side edged the tactical battle as the Scarlets failed to break through, a run from Williams the only exception. The Wales centre showed great pace and a good fend to break clear and find namesake Rhodri on his inside. Ultimately, a try failed to arrive but the move did show what could be achieved with ball in hand.Â
The first 40 had been a tight affair but before half time, there was still time for each to team to score. Priestland got the Scarlets on the board with a penalty before the Ospreys added a second try. Biggar’s superb kick to the corner gave them territory, with Natoga scooting over in the corner after being found by Davies. Biggar added the extra two with the last kick of the half to make it 14-3 at the break.
Biggar and Priestland exchanged penalties at the start of the second half as the game failed to fire after the break. Adam Jones and Tom Habberfield entered the fray for the Ospreys, Gareth Davies on for the Scarlets, but it was the respective fly halves who were dominating the action.
And when the visitors won another scrum penalty, an area of strength all night, Priestland narrowed the deficit to eight points. The game was now much more of a contest with the Scarlets seeing a lot more of the ball. Priestland nearly sparked a score with a solo run and going into the final 15 minutes, it was Simon Easterby’s side who were on top.
The men in red had wave after wave of attack, the pressure finally telling when Natoga was sin binned for a deliberate knock on. A man light, defence was the name of the game for the Ospreys but although the Scarlets pounded their line, spreading the ball left and right, it was the home side who edged it.
Priestland kicked a fourth penalty but it failed to stop the Ospreys moving into second.Â
