The Blues were chasing a fifth RaboDirect PRO12 win in a row for the first time since the end of the 2009/10 season and were in the hunt until the final five minutes of the game.
But in the end it was the will of the home side to send off skipper Jonathan Davies on a winning note that came to the fore. The Wales and British & Irish Lions centre is heading to France next season to link up with Clermont Auvergne.
But while there was plenty for the on-looking Welsh coaches Rob Howley and Robin McBryde to admire in a highly competitive contest, there was a sting in the tail when fly half Rhys Priestland had to be helped off the field seven minutes from time with what looked like a knee ligament injury.
“It’s difficult at the moment because it looked like a medial ligament injury but it’s hard to assess the seriousness of it,” said Scarlets head coach Simon Easterby.
“It was disappointing because Rhys was playing really well and we have been challenging him this week. He had set up a couple of tries and looked like he was enjoying himself.
“It is disappointing it happened right at the end and could possibly hamper his chances of making the summer tour.”
It was Priestland’s deft pass that set up the opening try of the night as he sent Wales lock Jake Ball through a gap on the Blues 22. Ball took the tackle and then passed inside to scrum half Rhodri Williams who raced to the posts for a try which Priestland converted.
The driving wind made life difficult for the Blues in the first half and they were locked up in their own half for much of the opening quarter. But once they began to win some ball their hefty pack really got into the game.
Bradley Davies played his best game of the season and Josh Navidi proved he has a case to push for the vacant Welsh No7 shirt. Fit again Matthew Rees also provided a subtle reminder that his Test days might not be over.
It was back row man Macauley Cook who grabbed the Blues’ first try, crossing in the left corner after Dan Fish had been hauled down just short in the opposite corner, and moments later Simon Humberstone knocked over a penalty to give the Blues an 8-7 lead.
Priestland regained the lead with a penalty on the stroke of half-time and then man of the match Liam Williams, in his first game since his sending off in the defeat to the Blues on Easter Sunday, weaved his way through a bemused Blues defence three minutes into the second half.
Steve Shingler added the conversion and then steadied the ship after the Blues had bagged a penalty try and conversion. The centre kicked a penalty and then raced 20 metres for his side’s third try before adding a conversion to seal victory.
