Scarlets left red-faced as Dragons grab rare derby win
Matthew Screech scored the winning try two minutes from time as Scarlets' hopes of a European Champions Cup spot suffered a blow following a 34-32 defeat to Dragons at the Principality Stadium.
It did not look likely when Dragons trailed 17-6 at half-time but 21 unanswered points in the third quarter set up their best win of the season.
Screech scored two tries for them, Jack Dixon the other with Josh Lewis kicking two penalties and three conversions and Jason Tovey one.
Johnny McNicholl scored two tries for Scarlets, Ioan Nicholas, Gareth Davies and Jonathan Davies the others, with Leigh Halfpenny adding two conversions and a penalty.
Dragons took a third-minute lead when Lewis picked himself up after being tackled late by Dan Jones to send over a penalty.
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The first 15 minutes were easily forgettable as neither side could make any impact against resolute defences and it was left to Lewis to extend Dragons' lead with his second penalty.
Soon afterwards, the Gwent region, suffered a blow when Amos, who was making his final appearance for them before his transfer to Cardiff Blues, was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on.
Scarlets took immediate advantage as Nicholas rewarded a period of pressure by forcing his way over for Halfpenny to convert for his side to lead 7-6 at the end of the first quarter.
In the absence of Amos, Scarlets turned down two kickable penalties and their decision was rewarded when McNicholl outflanked the cover defence to squeeze in at the corner.
Amos returned but he could not stem the tide as Gareth Davies sneaked over from close range and despite Halfpenny missing both conversions, Scarlets were in firm control at half-time with a 17-6 advantage.
Within two minutes of the restart, Dragons looked to have reduced the deficit when Ross Moriarty kicked ahead and crashed over but the TMO ruled that the Welsh international number eight had lost possession of the ball when it rebounded back off a post.
Despite this setback, Dragons maintained their momentum to pick up a try from Screech with David Bulbring yellow carded in the aftermath before Scarlets' prop, Samson Lee, was fortunate to escape another for a tip tackle.
Lewis missed a penalty before Dragons produced a superb try when Amos and Aaron Wainwright combined cleverly for Dixon to score.
Scarlets were stunned when Lewis hit them with a third try after intercepting a pass from Dan Jones to give Dragons a 10- point lead going into the final quarter.
Jones paid the penalty for his error as he was replaced by Rhys Patchell before Bulbring returned in time to see Jonathan Davies secure a bonus point with his side's fourth try.
McNicholl brought his side level with his second before Halfpenny's conversion and penalty looked to have seen Scarlets home until Screech's effort crushed them with his try being awarded after countless replays that appeared to suggest that the lock had been dragged down short of the line.
PA
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No just because the personal is much better than last year. I've shown no antagonism of Crusader players, you must be confusing me with someone else.
I have critized Razor for picking players he knows occasionally?
I said I'm not surprised because of his style, he's more a grinder player like Cane, not going to show up on peoples radar until you see how bad the other choices are. This year players like Clarke have been on fire and just show a bit more.
Are you one of those posters continually taking it easy on Razor because he doesn't have his Crusaders stars available? Do you think the rugby world is going to up to him suddenly once Mo'unga returns? lol
Go to commentsJohn you have been beating this drum for a couple of years, if you get proven right get back to us.
The last recent and decent Aussie coach was Ewen McKenzie, he was undermined and forced out by a couple of slimy Aussie players who were given a free pass when they should have been disciplined.
So our history since McQueen is very checkered and it seems to make little difference whether we have an Aussie coach or a Kiwi coach. The players have been entitled for a long time and we had to hit bottom to get them back into reality and to stop thinking it is all about them.
Cheika was an OK coach but his 'go our and destroy the opposition' tactic worked for a while and then didn't.
Please give me a list of great Aussie coaches that I have missed.
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