| Scarlets (6) 23 |
| Tries: J Williams, Costelow Cons: Costelow 2 Pens: Costelow 3 |
| Ospreys (13) 23 |
| Tries: Anscombe, R Davies Cons: Anscombe, Walsh Pens: Anscombe 3 |
Jack Walsh kicked a last-minute conversion on his debut to rescue a 23-23 draw for Ospreys at Scarlets of their United Rugby Championship opener.
After Gareth Anscombe had impressed Ospreys to 13-3 and 16-9 leads, Sam Costelow sparked a Scarlets revival.
The fly-half and Johnny Williams scored second-half tries to take Scarlets to the brink of victory.
However substitute Walsh stepped as much as convert Rhys Davies’ attempt with the final kick of the sport.
It was a powerful show from the three fly-halves, with Anscombe and player-of-the-match Costelow ending with 16 and 18 factors respectively and Walsh displaying his composure following his summer time mover from Exeter.
Captain comeback
Toby Sales space’s Ospreys aspect had welcomed again captain Justin Tipuric for his first aggressive begin in 15 months after recovering from a shoulder damage.
Ospreys had seven of their 11 Wales summer time vacationers within the squad: Alun Wyn Jones, Adam Beard, George North, Anscombe, Tomas Francis and Owain Watkin began, Dewi Lake was on the bench, with Gareth Thomas, Dan Lydiate, Alex Cuthbert and Sam Parry lacking.
Scarlets had Gareth Davies, Johnny Williams and Ryan Elias beginning, with Wyn Jones, Harri O’Connor and Kieran Hardy on the replacements bench, whereas New Zealand lock Vaea Fifita made his aggressive debut following his arrival from Wasps.
There was a minute silence to mark the demise of Queen Elizabeth II and applause to mark the passing of rugby broadcasting nice Eddie Butler, and enjoying legends Phil Bennett and Ken Jones.
Anscombe opened the scoring after good work from centre Owen Watkin and wing Keelan Giles.
The Ospreys fly-half added the conversion and slotted two penalties, with Costelow kicking a profitable three factors for Scarlets earlier than he was yellow-carded for an unlawful clear-out on Tipuric.
The Ospreys captain was on the centre of controversy following his late problem on Scarlets full-back Johnny McNicholl on the stroke of half-time.
Referee Adam Jones determined it was solely a penalty quite than a yellow card, with Costelow nudging over his second kick as Scarlets trailed 13-6 at half-time.
McNicholl couldn’t proceed following the incident after he failed a head damage evaluation and was changed by Corey Baldwin.
Costelow and Anscombe exchanged penalties earlier than Giles was proven a yellow card for what was deemed by the officers as a deliberate knock-on.
Scarlets instantly took benefit with a superb particular person attempt from centre Williams, with Costelow changing to stage the scores.
Williams produced a second excellent burst earlier than being expertly stopped by Michael Collins, but it surely was in useless after the house aspect had been penalised for obstruction.
With Scarlets within the ascendency, Costelow sprinted away to attain a transformed attempt – which stood after Fifita’s deal with on Watkin was adjudged to be authorized – and Scarlets opened up a seven-point lead.
Ospreys rallied as they looked for a draw and Scarlets quantity eight Sione Kalamafoni was proven a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on within the ultimate minute.
Scarlets had an opportunity to go two scores clear however turned down a kickable try to go for an attacking lineout and Ospreys’ determined defence repelled the hosts.
And in a dramatic finale, substitute lock Davies was pushed over earlier than Walsh’s nerveless conversion ensured the west Wales derby completed in a draw.
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel: “The boys are desperately dissatisfied within the changing-room. We had been poor within the first half, we had been off the tempo and coughed up the ball.
“To go in 13-6 down at half-time, we felt we had not performed any rugby. Within the second half we had been fairly dominant and once we lifted the tempo of the sport, we appeared good.
“The disappointing factor is once we had been 23-16 up and camped of their 22 we didn’t come away with something,
“We had three moments in these ultimate three minutes which value us.”
Ospreys head coach Toby Sales space: “I’ve combined emotions. There may be plenty of pleasure in that. The ultimate defensive set was a terrific reflection on the group and character.
“From that, to muscle our method up the sphere to 80 metres to attain and provides us the possibility of the draw, which Jack (Walsh) took, is a large credit score to the gamers and their efforts.
“What we have to have a look at is when within the first half, after I felt we had been in management, how we then went to half-hour once we weren’t.”
Scarlets: McNicholl; T Rogers, J Davies (capt), J Williams, Conbeer; Costelow, G Davies; S Thomas, Elias, Sebastian, Fifita, Lousi, Thomson, Lezana, Kalamafoni.
Replacements: D Hughes, W Jones, H O’Connor, T Worth, Macleod, Hardy, D Jones, C Baldwin.
Ospreys: Collins; North, Watkin, Hawkins, Giles; Anscombe, Webb; Smith, Baldwin, Francis, Beard, Alun Wyn Jones, J Morgan, Tipuric (capt), M Morris.
Replacements: Lake, G Phillips, Botha, R Davies, W Griffiths, Morgan-Williams, Walsh, Nagy.
Referee: Adam Jones (WRU).
Assistant referees: Simon Rees & Wayne Davies (WRU).
TMO: Sean Brickell (WRU).
