by Lestyn

Date: 3 January 2004

In front of the largest crowd yet for regional rugby the home side were kept at bay for the majority of a tight game. It was probably the unusually high crowd of ten thousand that contributed to a nervy, encounter that despite sloppy handling at times, proved to be an enjoyable encounter possibly the best witnessed between two Welsh sides yet this season.

Neither team could really seize the initiative up until with ten minutes left, when Matthew Watkins jinked through countless Osprey tackles before floating out a perfectly weighted pass out to Barry Davies for the full back to run in his second try. The game had been poised at 18-15 to the Scarlets, with Shaun Connor keeping the visitors in touch with five penalties, four of those coming in the first half. But Connors boot was the only source they ever looked like scoring from, and aside from some Shane Williams breaks they never really threatened the Scarlets line.

Defensively the Ospreys were very solid, and must count themselves unlucky by the cruel nature of the second Scarlet try, crucially coming just before half time. After Connor had failed to find touch with a clearance kick, a speculative drop goal from Barry Davies was sliced well short, but such was the night the full back was having, it bounced directly into the path of Selesi Finau, who the offloaded to Matthew Watkins to touch down with the simplest of run -ins.

After the interval the game was still quite interval, but with Scarlets having so much in reserve on the bench, realistically it was vital the Ospreys began to build up a decent load before the big guns came on for the home side. As the half dragged on it became more and more evident that the Ospreys were beginning to tire, and Davies's second try was inevitable.

The difference between the sides was highlighted when either had a player sin binned. When Ospreys scrum half Andy Williams was binned in the closing stages of the first half, they were made to pay with Watkins's first try. In contrast when the home side were down to fourteen men, the Ospreys could manage a Connor penalty alon with allowing Bowen to kick one of his own. The effectiveness of the Ospreys three quarter line just wasn't there. Without a decent line breaking outside centre they'll continue to struggle, the Scarlet defence easily contained Elvis Seveali’i all night. Up front both sides were at parity with each other, which after some real drubbings of late will give Lyn Jones a big boost. Jonathan Thomas in particular had a big all round match.

Scott Quinnell's late try ensured a bonus point, which subsequently sends the Scarlets top of the Celtic League. With the Warriors starting to find form, it really does look like a straight dogfight behind the Ospreys and the Blues for the fourth Heineken cup spot. On last night's showing I would back the West Glamorgan side to avoid the Parker Pen.

Scorers;
Llanelli Scarlets: Tries: B Davies 2, M Watkins, S Quinnell; Con: G Bowen; Pens: G Bowen 2.
Ospreys: Pens: S Connor 5.

Have Your Say on the Message Board