Ospreys edge out Scarlets
A 75th minute drop goal from Dan Biggar secured the Ospreys a 21-18 victory over the Scarlets on Saturday night.
Last Updated: 03/10/10 1:51am
A 75th minute drop goal from Dan Biggar secured the Ospreys a 21-18 victory over the Scarlets on Saturday night.
The fly-half settled a hotly-contested Magners League derby at Parc y Scarlets that was watched by a crowd of 13,707.
The hosts had appeared on course to break a two-match losing run against their rivals when they held a 9-6 advantage at the break.
They deserved to be ahead my more than just the three points after a first half in which they had been much the better side.
It took the Ospreys until the 28th minute just to get into the opposition 22 but the visitors stayed in contention thanks to some solid work without the ball.
Lee Byrne was forced to bundle Sean Lamont into touch while Regan King came close to scoring after finding a gap in the line. However, the Scarlets were forced to depend on Stephen Jones to provide their points.
Slender lead
The experienced fly-half traded penalties twice with rival number 10 Biggar before his two successful kicks either side of half time made it 12-6 to the hosts.
However, the Ospreys showed their rivals how it should be done with ball in hand when they scored with their first meaningful attack of the match.
Shane Williams took a quick tap penalty up the left before the ball was worked across the field for Richard Fussell to go over on the opposite flank.
A second try followed 13 minutes later when Ospreys skipper Alun Wyn Jones crashed over in the corner, though this time Biggar couldn't add the extras.
In between the two tries Jones slotted over a fifth penalty and when a sixth followed from the Wales international after 68 minutes, the sides were locked together at 18-18.
Biggar had the last word though in front of watching national team boss Warren Gatland, his drop goal proving enough to settle the match. Jones still had a chance to respond but missed a crucial 40-metre penalty attempt.
