Stunning Scarlets success for Cockerill’s Gunners

Richard Cockerill’s storm-troopers produced one of their bravest-ever displays to boost their bid to land a home Pro14 play-off tie.

The gutsy Gunners overcame their table-top rivals in gale-lashed Llanelli – thanks to a remarkable defensive performance.

Cockerill said: “This was a huge win in the context of our campaign – and it was achieved in the mostchallenging circumstances. The guys produced a superb defensive display.

“It said everything about the determination and work-rate of this group of players.”

Edinburgh 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. 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 slotted the conversion – only to see Scarlets repair some of the damage with an offside penalty by Dan Jones.

Another soft infringement allowed the hosts to set up a lineout in the corner.

The immediate threat was dispelled by a turnover, but Scarlets 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.

Ahead of 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 derwalt 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.

His strike sparked the Scarlets into attack mode and again the capital markers had to work overtime.

They suffered another blow on the hour mark when sub Fraser Mckenzie was carried off with a serious-looking leg problem.

From then on it was a true backsto-the-wall effort as they held out for a famous win.