Gareth Jenkins’ miserable week had an upbeat finish as his side ground out a Celtic League victory in atrocious conditions at the Arms Park.

Two Gareth Bowen penalty goals settled the issue in a tryless affair in the Cardiff mud and rain to give Jenkins something to smile about after surprisingly missing out on the Wales job on Thursday.

The scoreline was an incredible 0-0 at halftime as the conditions prevented the running rugby that both sides have produced in recent weeks.

The Scarlets were down to 14 men on two occasions when backrower Chris Wyatt and scrum-half Mike Phillips being shown the yellow card by referee Donal

Courtney, but the Blues couldn’t take advantage on the slippery pitch.

Scarlets fly-half Bowen finally gave the scorers something to do with a well-struck 47th-minute penalty goal, and doubled the margin in the 68th as the visitors kept their nerve in the awful conditions.

The result sees the Cardiff Blues’ five-game winning streak come to an end. They remain in sixth place, and are still in line for a Parker Pen Challenge Cup place for next season as Wales’ poorest performing team in the Celtic League.

The Scarlets stay in second place, just one point behind league leaders Ulster.