Morgan’s mighty try enough to win it for the Ospreys
Wing Luke Morgan scored the only try of the game as Ospreys fought back to win a tight Guinness Pro14 Welsh derby against Scarlets at the Liberty.
Scarlets, who had won their last four matches against Ospreys, had led at half-time but the hosts rallied to claim a 19-12 win.
As well as Morgan’s try, Ospreys were indebted to man of the match Sam Davies, who provided 14 points with the boot.
Scarlets’ points came from three first-half Rhys Patchell penalties and Dan Jones’ late kick.
Wales centre Hadleigh Parkes was named as the surprise Scarlets choice at fly-half with regular Patchell filling in for concussion victim Leigh Halfpenny at full-back, while the other number 10, Dan Jones, was among the replacements.
In a closely-fought derby, Scarlets had deserved their 9-6 lead at the end of a tryless first half.
The lion’s share of the opening 40 minutes was dominated by kicking – both out of hand and through a series of six penalties.
Scarlets twice led in the opening 11 minutes through kicks from Patchell. The first after six minutes when loosehead prop Gareth Thomas was adjudged to have collapsed a scrum.
Patchell was on target again after Ospreys had edged offside. That was after Sam Davies levelled things at 3-3 with a long penalty.
The scores were back level on 6-6 with Sam Davies kicking his second penalty after James Davies had been caught offside.
Scarlets began to dominate territory and although Patchell fluffed a penalty attempt after 19 minutes, he was back on target eight minutes later.
The match was lit up by a break from Scarlets wing Johnny McNicholl but the move broke down after he linked with Gareth Davies.
Ospreys looked as if they had a golden opportunity to score but wing Morgan couldn’t latch on to Scott Williams’ cross-field grubber.
The second half could not have been more different as Ospreys dominated almost throughout, scoring 13 unanswered points.
After Sam Davies missed a penalty, the key moment came when Morgan scored the game’s only try after 58 minutes.
He kicked ahead a loose ball then beat Tom Prydie to the touch down. Sam Davies converted and Ospreys led for the first time 13-9.
Ospreys’ lead was further strengthened by two snap drop-goals by Sam Davies in the space of five minutes.
At 19-9 Scarlets looked down and out but they were given the chance to grab a draw when replacement Dan Jones kicked a 72nd-minute penalty.
Scarlets piled on the pressure and looked as if they might level the scores but Ospreys centre Owen Watkin came up with a crucial turnover.
There was controversy when Sam Davies kicked the ball off the field thinking the game was over but the ref adjudged the stadium clock was wrong and there were still five seconds remaining.
It mattered little as Scarlets were bundled into touch from the line-out.