FOURTEEN-MAN Scarlets claimed the double over the their West Wales rivals Ospreys with an injury time try scored by Josh Macleod on boxing day.
The home side were in control in the first half but failed to capitalise with points, with Leigh Halfpenny missing three penalty kicks. Continued pressure resulted in wing Steff Evans scoring the opening try, with Halfpenny again off target with the boot.
However an aerial challenge by try-scorer Evans resulted in him being sent off in the 37th minute.
Fly-half Sam Davies then scored a penalty to put the Ospreys on the scoreboard.
In the second-half, two more penalties from Davies put the visitors in front 9-5. It looked as though Steve Tandy’s side would see the game out with a minute remaining. But a Scarlets surge in the scrum resulted in a final chance for the Scarlets.
With 2 minutes into stoppage time, Scott Williams put in a cross field kick which was taken by substitute and Man-Of-The-Match Josh Macleod who scored in the corner, Parc Y Scarlets erupted.
Halfpenny converted from the touchline to seal the Boxing Day derby victory.
Final Score: Scarlets 12 – 9 Ospreys
It was a crushing blow for the struggling Ospreys, who remain bottom of conference A, the Scarlets remain at the top of conference B.
Up next for the reigning champions, they travel to Cardiff for a New Years Eve derby against the Blues at the Arms Park.
