Scarlets 23-23 Ospreys: Action-packed Welsh derby goes down to the last kick of the game

Scarlets and Ospreys kicked off their United Rugby Championship seasons with an action-packed 23-23 draw in Llanelli on Saturday evening.

The visitors asserted themselves earlier and scored the first try shortly after George North snuffed out an early probing kick from Sam Costelow, that was chased heartily by Johnny McNicholl.

There was nothing too flash about the Ospreys. Hugely exciting prospect Joe Hawkins crashed up the middle in the seventh minute and Jac Morgan carried around the corner. Suddenly Keelan Giles was outside Tom Rogers and he popped it inside to Gareth Anscombe, who strolled over. The Wales pivot then converted his own kick.

A few minutes later, Anscombe was once again accurate from the tee after McNicholl was caught in possession looking to launch a counter attack and the Ospreys led 10-0 after 10 minutes.

Scarlets pivot Costelow missed and then hit from the tee to get the Scarlets on the board but Anscombe re-established a 10-point lead two minutes later.

The young Scarlets fly-half was then sent to the naughty step when he was deemed to have rolled Justin Tipuric onto his head whilst the Ospreys flanker was plundering opposition ball in trademark fashion. General consensus would deem it a little harsh but referee Adam Jones had made up his mind.

Toby Booth’s side went on to control most of the half with the Scarlets living off the scraps of their kicking game. The visitors had scrum after scrum in the hosts’ 22 but could not break down a stubborn defence.

Chaos ensued at the end of an entertaining half. Mr Jones blew his whistle and both sets of players ran towards the tunnel but were stopped by the fourth official on the touchline. The referee was being sent to the big screen to check potential