Alex Cuthbert’s late try and Rhys Patchell’s conversion sealed a dramatic 29-27 victory for the Cardiff Blues in their GUINNESS PRO12 clash with Scarlets.

At a packed BT Sport Cardiff Arms Park it was the Blues who sealed a fine comeback against their Welsh rivals – a third league win in a row and a second derby success on the spin for Danny Wilson’s side.

Last time out Patchell’s late kick saw off the Dragons but this time he slotted a simple conversion against his future employers to seal victory.

The Blues had gifted first-half scores to Ken Owens and DTH van der Merwe and despite Cory Allen’s reply it was the Scarlets who led 20-10 at the break.

But after the interval Dan Fish went over to close the gap and after the injury-hit Scarlets had two men sent to the sin bin in quick succession Kristian Dacey barged over to put the Blues ahead.

Gareth Davies replied for the Scarlets in a see-saw battle to re-take the lead before Cuthbert’s late score and Patchell’s conversion grabbed a dramatic victory – the losing bonus point keeping the Scarlets on top of the table by way of consolation.

Both sides made three changes to their teams but it was the Blues – fresh from their last-gasp win over the Dragons last time out – that started the brighter.

Patchell began where he left off last weekend with an early penalty against his future employers to give the hosts a 3-0 lead.

But no sooner had the Blues gained a foothold then they threw it all away.

First Dacey terribly overthrew his jumper at a defensive lineout and Owens gladly accepted the late Christmas present, scooping up to barge over from close range.

Aled Thomas added the conversion but the Blues’ generosity did not end there – moments later Tom James’ telegraphed pass was picked off by van der Merwe who cantered clear for a second score and a 14-3 Scarlets lead with less than a quarter of an hour played.

The Blues summoned an immediate response however – centre Rey Lee-Lo sliced his way through and fed his centre partner Allen and the Wales international scored with ease on his first start back from injury.

Patchell added the extras to make it 14-10 but a dramatic first quarter then gave way to a cagier encounter – Aled Thomas slotting two penalties to stretch the Scarlets lead back out by the half-hour mark.

The Blues’ missed tackles were costing them dear – Gareth Owen next to break through for the visitors but the home side scrambled well and finished the half on top.

Young Scarlets lock Lewis Rawlins was sent to the sin bin for dragging down a driving maul and the visitors were happy to get in at the break 20-10 to the good.

After the break the Blues were keen to make the most of their numerical advantage with Rawlins still in the bin and Fish profited in the end – the full-back collecting James’ inside pass to go over.

Patchell’s conversion was wide however and after 50 minutes the Scarlets were still five points to the good at 20-15.

The home side were now on the front foot however, and when Steffan Evans and Emyr Phillips were sent to the sin bin within a minute of each other the Blues’ chances looked good.

They made the extra men count immediately as Dacey went over at the back of a driving lineout for the Blues’ third try and this time Patchell added the extras to put them 22-20 ahead.

Back in the lead for the first time since the third minute and with two men more on the field, victory seemed a certainty for the hosts.

But this dramatic game took another twist when Gareth Davies went over the Scarlets in the 65th minute – the visitors superbly killing the clock with men in the bin before a driving maul allowed the scrum-half to dart over.

Aled Thomas’ conversion bisected the posts and at 27-22 with little time remaining the Blues comeback efforts appeared to have been in vain.

But in the closing stages it was that man Cuthbert who was on hand to fend off Regan King and dot down leaving Patchell a simple conversion for a dramatic bonus-point win for Danny Wilson’s side.

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