Pro14: Ospreys 18-19 Scarlets

Gareth Davies scored two tries as Scarlets came from behind at the Liberty Stadium to consign Ospreys to a record fifth successive defeat.

Ospreys had led the west Wales derby 9-0 at half-time thanks to three penalties from Wales and British and Irish Lions fly-half Dan Biggar.

But scrum-half Davies struck twice in quick succession, before Samson Lee was shunted over from a driving maul.

Biggar's boot kept Ospreys in touch and earned at least a losing bonus point.

Wales and Lions back Leigh Halfpenny was a late withdrawal for Scarlets, with Johnny McNicholl moving to full-back and Paul Asquith promoted to wing from the bench.

Ospreys went into the game with a vastly superior record against their Welsh rivals , with 18 wins to Scarlets' nine, with one drawn.

Scarlets scrum-half Gareth Davies played a two-try supporting role for against Ospreys

But Steve Tandy's side have been badly out of form in the Pro14 this season and a record fifth successive defeat in the competition makes uncomfortable viewing for the four-time former champions.

As has often been the case in this west Wales derby, form seemed to be secondary and three Biggar penalties gave Ospreys a 9-0 lead at half-time.

That had been helped by opposite fly-half Rhys Patchell missing his two kicks at goal, while visiting number eight Tadhg Beirne was sin binned after being picked out as chief instigator in a mass scuffle.

Scarlets got on the scoreboard in style though, when after sustained pressure Gareth Davies rounded off a piercing backs move that owed much to wing Steff Evans.

Patchell also missed that conversion but made his next kick to add two points to Davies' next try, as the scrum-half was again in support when Hadleigh Parkes bounced off two tacklers in midfield.

Scarlets number eight Tadhg Beirne was sin binned after tempers boiled over against Ospreys

Scarlets continued to provided the greater threat and although Wyn Jones knocked on reaching for the try line.

But when Ospreys replacement Dmitri Arhip was sin-binned, a driving maul from a lineout soon after saw Scarlets prop Lee score a converted try.

Although Ospreys were living off comparative scraps, Scarlets continued to cough up penalty chances and Biggar added three more kicks to leave the home side trailing just 18-19 as the game entered its final quarter.

Rhys Jones took over the Scarlets kicking duties but also fluffed his lines with a penalty attempt that went wide.

But with Ospreys unable to break out of their own territory, Scarlets' slender lead was enough for a victory that takes them to the top of Conference B while their opponents languish at the bottom of Conference A.

Teams:

Ospreys: Dan Evans; Cory Allen, Kieron Fonotia, James Hook, Jeff Hassler; Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Nicky Smith, Scott Otten, Ma'afu Fia, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Dan Lydiate, Olly Cracknell, James King.

Replacements: Sam Parry, Paul James, Dmitri Arhip, Lloyd Ashley, Dan Baker, Tom Habberfield, Sam Davies, Owen Watkin.

Scarlets: Johnny McNicholl; Paul Asquith, Jonathan Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Steff Evans; Rhys Patchell, Gareth Davies, Wyn Jones, Ken Owens (capt), Samson Lee, Jake Ball, Lewis Rawlins, Aaron Shingler, Will Boyde, Tadhg Beirne.

Replacements: Ryan Elias, Dylan Evans, Werner Kruger, David Bulbring, Josh Macleod, Aled Davies, Rhys Jones, Scott Williams.

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland).

Assistant referees: Dan Jones (Wales), Joy Neville (Ireland)

Citing commissioner: Aurwel Morgan (Wales)

TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)