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Last-gasp try stuns Ospreys, Leinster and Blues claim derby wins

By Peter Thompson
Scarlets’ Josh Macleod

Josh Macleod's last-gasp try snatched a 12-9 derby win over the Ospreys to put 14-man Scarlets back on top of Pro14 Conference B after Leinster won at Munster, while Cardiff Blues were also victorious on Tuesday.

Ospreys are languishing at the bottom of Conference A, but looked to have pulled off a shock in front of a sell-out crowd at a sodden Parc y Scarlets when they led 9-3 in the final throws, with the home side a man down following Steff Evans' red card late in the first half.

Evans scored the only try of the first half but was given his marching orders for tackling Ben John in the air and it seemed that could cost his side a derby victory.

Three Sam Davies penalties gave Ospreys a six-point advantage, but they were hit with a sucker punch right at the end, Scarlets overpowering their rivals in a scrum before Scott Williams' cross-field kick was taken by Macleod, who applied the finish to stun Ospreys.

Leigh Halfpenny added the extras, having been wasteful from the tee in the first half, as Scarlets moved two points clear of Leinster.

Leinster and Munster were both on a high after impressive European Champions Cup performances but it was Leo Cullen's men who prevailed 34-24 at Thomond Park to take over at the summit for a short time.

Munster were looking to close the gap on Conference A leaders Glasgow Warriors following their loss to Edinburgh, but slumped to a first home defeat in 13 matches after Leinster charged into a 27-5 lead at half-time.

Five-pointers from Dan Leavy and Robbie Henshaw, as well as a penalty try, put Leinster in charge, the majority of the 26,267-crowd left disappointed as Andrew Conway's second-half double and an Ian Keatley try proved to be in vain.

Jordan Larmour scored a superb solo try for Leinster in the second half, while Ross Byrne scored 12 points with the boot as they reeled off a fifth win in a row.

Cardiff got the better of the Dragons at Rodney Parade, Aled Summerhill, Rey Lee-Lo and Tom James scoring tries in a 22-17 win.