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Johnny McNicholl scores two late tries as Scarlets edge Ospreys in Llanelli

By PA
PA

Johnny McNicholl scored two tries in the final quarter to earn a 22-19 victory for the Scarlets over the Ospreys in a hard-fought Welsh derby played behind closed doors in Llanelli.

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Because of Covid-related postponements, it was the Scarlets’ first appearance on the field since October 22 and their resolve was rewarded with a match-winning try from McNicholl three minutes from time.

Gareth Davies and Steff Evans also scored tries for the Scarlets, with Dan Jones adding a conversion.

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    Rhys Webb touched down twice for the Ospreys either side of a Luke Morgan try, while Josh Thomas kicked two conversions.

    Despite losing a couple of early line-outs, the Scarlets made the quicker start and deservedly took an early lead.

    The hosts built up a period of sustained pressure and Davies was on hand to dash over unopposed for a ninth-minute try.

    However, the Scarlets suffered an injury blow when flanker Josh Macleod was forced to leave the field. It must have been demoralising for Macleod as it was his first game back since rupturing his Achilles back in February.

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    The home side suffered a further setback as the Ospreys drew level when Webb forced his way over from close range with a Thomas conversion making it 7-7 at the end of an evenly-contested first quarter.

    Minutes later the visitors should have taken the lead when excellent inter-passing put Dan Evans into space, but the full-back elected to go it alone and was held up over the line by Tom Price.

    It mattered little as the Ospreys soon scored their second. A poor cross-field kick from Jones saw Thomas collect and boot the ball downfield for Morgan to show his pace by beating McNicholl and Jones to the touchdown for a 12-7 interval lead.

    Three minutes after the restart, Jones missed a straightforward penalty and was soon replaced by Rhys Patchell.

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    Patchell was immediately involved in the move which created an overlap try for Steff Evans, but his conversion attempt rebounded back off a post.

    Scarlets captain Scott Williams gave away a penalty for kicking out at a ball in a ruck. The Ospreys capitalised as they took a quick tap penalty to put the defence on the back foot before Webb saw a gap to score his second.

    The Ospreys appeared to be in control, but the hosts broke out of defence to give McNicholl the opportunity to run in from halfway. Patchell again missed the conversion and a subsequent penalty.

    The missed kicked might have proved costly, but the Scarlets got the reward their second-half domination deserved when McNicholl raced away for his second try to seal victory.

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    PL 2 hours ago
    Lions Tour Aussie takes: Bigger is better, the stars who failed to fire

    I find it interesting that journalists who have done nothing in rugby comment on selections & coaching like they are experts

    Concussive injury’s will remove insurance cover from the game unless their is strict application of the laws designed to remove MND Parkinson’s and CTE from the game


    Head on head I saw red to Adam Coleman as tackler for Irish while unconscious on a stretcher - concussions occur without twitching on the ground or the wobbly boot - I know I had maybe 20 from rugby


    The officiating of last feet is non existent

    The lack of effective wrap by Lions front rower & that decision had a close relationship with ordure in a toilet

    A head on head tackle red for Coleman not even penalty lead to a try in a phase or 2


    Powys v Evans lead to a £> 2 mill verdict against the ref personally special leveraged to Hiuse of Lords

    Refs will stop reffing with no insurance then no game


    About 5 years ago 4 or 5 French colts died from head hits in elite club games - that led to below sternum law - hamlets honoured in breach not observance

    Last feet non existent - enforcement favour flowing rugby nor lions meat grinder forwards get momentum and puck & drive NZ Vowel noise


    The UK Class Action could be very well be lost WRC will try every dirty trick in case they already used dial a neuros to argue the unarguable is law gossip


    I reffed ref coached & assessed for ruffly 17 seasons


    The application of laws is like a zig zag on speed

    Line out laws not enforced scrums tight pulling loose down one side mirror on other side elbow pointing to ground stretch marks on jersey

    Der moment the refs need to go Soec Savers

    My bet unless they stop lack of intestinal fortitude game management


    Yellow every time head contact or above sternum


    Needs sterner GMGs material impact removed set piece caterpillar remove

    Last feet to last feet + 1 m


    When I reffed I kept them well apart - hated me till they got over yellow and they actually had fun & complemented me post game backs had room and pick and drive had momentum


    As for intentional foul play like tackle in air auto red no replacement 100,000 fine player 250,000 club


    Treble it for international 26 week suspension & it’s disappear over night

    25 were scrum for dissent


    Penalty all this rubbish shots at opponents after error


    All the s.ite would disappear


    The pathetic unsportsmanlike behaviour would lead to standards


    Remember Les Boyd’s penalty re Brohman -if that is the way we treat foul play but while foul play with potential serious injury with a feather duster like we are the game is destined to no insurance following that no refs cause would you risk bankruptcy like Powys v Evans

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