Jonathan Davies’ final game in a Scarlets shirt ended in victory over Cardiff Blues – but the Wales international had Steve Shingler to thank for securing a 27-15 RaboDirect PRO12 triumph. Davies captained the region for the final time before setting off for pastures new next season in a close-fought contest at Parc y Scarlets. Rhodri Williams and Liam Williams crossed for Scarlets while Macauley Cook and a penalty try kept this Welsh derby interesting until the dying moments. But Shingler’s late intervention with boot – he kicked seven points – and hands – the centre going over with just five minutes to go – sealed the Scarlets win. A swirling wind didn’t help proceedings and Rhys Priestland was the first to do battle with the conditions on three minutes when he drifted his penalty wide. The hosts were dominating the early possession and territory and eventually got the try they deserved on 13 minutes through Rhodri Williams. Priestland was heavily involved, and his offload to Jake Ball created the space in which Williams was allowed to run the ball home from close range. Priestland added the extras but five minutes later the Blues reduced the arrears when Cook crossed in the corner. Full-back Dan Fish was the architect as his break set the Scarlets defence scarpering back. Eventually the ball found its way out to second row Cook after Harry Robinson – who will swap Blues for the Scarlets next season – had let the ball slip from his grasp and he bundled his way over the line. Simon Humberstone missed his conversion from a near impossible angle, given the conditions, from out wide but made no mistake with a penalty moments later to give the Blues the lead at 8-7. Cardiff could have added to that advantage on the half-hour mark had Lewis Jones had a bit more pace – as it was the scrum-half was brilliantly halted by Joe Snyman after a scintillating move involving Isaia Tuifua. Moments later Scarlets’ Rhodri Williams was denied his second try of the game by a great tackle from Jones in the corner. But Priestland ensured the hosts did go into half-time 10-8 in the lead after notching a penalty just before the break. A bit of Liam Williams magic saw the Scarlets full-back cross to extend the hosts’ lead on 44 minutes, with Shingler’s conversion making it 17-8. But after the heavens opened at the Parc y Scarlets the Blues found a way back into the game when they were awarded a penalty try after a maul was pulled down. Humberstone’s extras brought the visitors back to with two points but a Shingler penalty gave the Scarlets a bit of breathing space as the game entered the last ten minutes. Centre Shingler then made sure of the victory on 75 minutes when he converted his own try, ending the Blues’ four-game RaboDirect PRO12 winning streak in the process. Follow us on Facebook, join the conversation on Twitter, sign up to our YouTubechannel for extensive match highlights and sign up for our newsletter for regular updates on the RaboDirect PRO12.
