Scarlets stage superb comeback to stun Ospreys in Welsh derby

The Scarlets overturned an early 17-point deficit to claim a first victory over the Ospreys in three years.

Mark Jones' side raced into an early 17-point lead but it was one-way traffic thereafter as the Scarlets scored six tries to keep their slim United Rugby Championship play-off hopes alive while also denting the Ospreys' chances in front of a bumper crowd of 11,384.

Tries came from Blair Murray, Vaea Fifita, Joe Roberts, Eddie James and Taine Plumtree while they were also awarded a penalty try with Ioan Lloyd kicking six points. Morgan Morris, Iestyn Hopkins and Dan Edwards scored tries for the Ospreys while the Wales outside-half also contributed seven points from the kicking tee.

It was a horror start for the Scarlets as Ellis Mee failed to take the ball cleanly from the kick-off. The Scarlets secured the lineout five metres out but Alex Craig got smashed backwards over the line. But the Scotland lock spilled the ball and with no offside line Morris pounced to claim a try after just 40 seconds with Edwards converting.

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The Ospreys were on fire as Edwards smashed over another penalty to extend their lead to 10 points. On the flipside the Scarlets were sloppy and struggled to hold onto the ball. They were soon made to pay for their inaccuracies as Luke Morgan broke through before offloading to Hopkins to kick ahead into the Scarlets 22. Lloyd made a meal of it as the ball bounced into Hopkins' hands for the second Ospreys try which Edwards converted to send the visitors into a commanding 17-0 lead.

But the Scarlets clicked into life with a period of sustained pressure. A powerful driving lineout five