Rock-solid Gunners storm to victory in windswept Wales
Richard Cockerill’s stormtroopers produced one of their bravest ever displays to boost their bid for a home Pro14 play-off tie.
The Gunners overcame their table-top rivals in gale-lashed Llanelli thanks to a remarkable defensive performance.
And they made the most of the few chances they carved out to stun their opponents at Parc y Scarlets.
Delighted coach Cockerill praised his side for digging out victory despite the adverse conditions.
He said: “This was a huge win in the context of our campaign and we achieved it in the most challenging of circumstances.
“Conditions were difficult but the guys produced a superb defensive display. It said everything about the work-rate and determination of this group.”
Edinburgh had six players back from the Scotland Six Nations squad to the Scarlets’ two from Wales, while experienced prop Samson Lee was a late withdrawal from the home ranks with a calf problem.
Edinburgh had made a robust start with Pierre Schoeman, Bill Mata and Grant Gilchrist embarking on ground-making charges.
But a spilled ball put them under pressure in their own danger zone and Damien Hoyland was forced to scramble clear.
They regrouped quickly to create a try in the seventh minute.
New Scotland star Nick Haining launched the move with a slick offload and winger Duhan van der Merwe finished clinically.
Jaco van der Walt hit the conversion, only to see Scarlets repair some of the damage with a penalty by Dan Jones.
Another soft infringement allowed the home team to set up a line out in the corner.
The immediate threat was dispelled by a turnover but the Welsh side established fresh momentum midway through the half.
Gunners’ defence was being tested to the full during this torrid period and they continued to repel the raids through sheer grit.
There was a setback when hooker Dave Cherry was taken off injured and replaced by Mike Willemse.
And in the approach to the interval, Jones found the target again to slash the gap to a single point.
But there was still time for Edinburgh to seize back control as centre Matt Scott smashed his way over from a scrum crash-ball. Van der Walt claimed the extras.
The gale began to whip up even more after the restart, making kicking an exercise in guesswork.
But home marksman Jones got it right when he completed his penalty treble in 48 minutes.
His strike sparked the Scarlets into attack and again the capital markers had to work overtime.
They suffered a blow on the hour when substtiute Fraser McKenzie was carried off with a leg problem. pr
From then th it was a backsto-the-wall effort as they held on o to win.