United Rugby Championship: Scarlets 35-20 Cardiff - hosts earn derby win with 14 players

Scarlets overcame a red card for Sione Kalamafoni to celebrate a derby victory over Cardiff in the United Rugby Championship.

Kalamafoni was sent off early in the second half but Scarlets secured a bonus-point win with Wales full-back Johnny McNicholl scoring two tries.

Fly-half Sam Costelow scored 20 points which included an outstanding individual try.

Cardiff scored tries through wing Josh Adams and flanker James Botham.

Number eight Kalamafoni was given his marching orders by French referee Tual Trainini for a high, dangerous tackle on Cardiff replacement Gwilym Bradley.

It failed to dampen a rampant display from Dwayne Peel's side to further restore the faith of the Scarlets' supporters, with Costelow and man-of-the-match McNicholl at the heart.

Dai Young's team could not make their extra man tell with Adams and Dillon Lewis both shown yellow cards to leave Cardiff still searching for an elusive away victory.

This fixture kicked off seven consecutive weekends of Welsh derbies, as the regions battle it out for a top-eight finish and European qualification. The two sides will face each other again next Saturday in Cardiff.

Cardiff had welcomed back Wales internationals Adams, Tomos Williams and Seb Davies after the trio were rested during last weekend's win against Glasgow,

They were among eight starting changes but Young was without injured trio Willis Halaholo, Josh Navidi and Theo Cabango.

Peel made four changes to the side that secured a bonus-point win away to Zebre with Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Costelow and Steff Thomas starting.

Jarrod Evans and Costelow exchanged early penalties before Wales wing Adams crossed for a well-worked try after expertly collecting a Ben Thomas' chip kick.

After Cardiff lost Wales squad number eight James Ratti to injury, Costelow powered through three attempted tackles for an outstanding converted try to level the scores.

Evans edged Cardiff back ahead with a penalty before McNicholl glided outside Jason Harries to score.

Captain Scott Williams almost crossed on his 150th Scarlets appearance but was held up just short by fine defensive work from Corey Domachowski.

Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies was held up over the line after Cardiff transgressed at a scrum with prop Lewis shown a yellow card.

Wales full-back Johnny McNicholl scored two tries against Cardiff on his 100th appearance in a week when he also signed a new contract

Kalamafoni ensured Scarlets were rewarded for their positive play by powering over from another dominant set-piece as Scarlets led 22-13 at half-time.

In a feisty opening to the second half, Kalamafoni was dismissed before Adams was handed a yellow for a deliberate knock-on.

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Adams departed the field just as Cardiff were due to be restored to a full complement.

After Scott Williams was forced off with a shoulder injury, Wales trio Jonathan Davies, Ryan Elias and Wyn Jones were introduced for Scarlets during the second half as the hosts responded to the red card in style.

McNicholl crossed for his second try while Costelow added a conversion and two penalties.

Adams limped off in the final exchanges for Cardiff before Botham gained a consolation try for the visitors.

Scarlets coach Dwayne Peel told BBC Sport Wales: "It was a pleasing performance, our intensity, the platform upfront was good in the scrum, lineout and maul which fed our game, and key individuals like Costelow were good with a great try early which settled him.

"We go to Cardiff next week and I'm sure they'll have a warm welcome for us, the back to back games will add a bit of spice to it.

"The play-offs aren't out of sight for us but we have to win the majority of our games if not all our games, it's an exciting run-in with the fact they're Welsh derbies.

"Scott Williams has got a sore shoulder without much movement in it and it doesn't look great, we'll get him scanned but I'm disappointed for him because he's been excellent."

Cardiff director of rugby Dai Young told BBC Sport Wales: "The first 20 minutes we were in control but after that it was all Scarlets, for 60 minutes we came second best and we didn't have any control.

"By the letter of the law it's probably a red card (for Kalamafoni) but he's not a dirty player and hopefully he doesn't get a long ban.

"Gwilym Bradley is ok but it was a heavy collision, Josh (Adams) has a bit of a medial ligament strain but hopefully nothing too serious.

"The only positive thing is that we've got an opportunity to put it right next week, but we're frustrated and disappointed, we have to be better than that."

Scarlets: McNicholl; Rogers, J Williams, S Williams (capt), Conbeer; Costelow, G Davies; S Thomas, S Evans, J Sebastian, S Lousi, J Price, Thomson, Lezana, Kalamafoni.

Replacements: R Elias, W Jones, O'Connor, M Jones, Tuipulotu, D Blacker, D Jones, J Davies.

Cardiff: Amos; Harries, Lee-Lo, B Thomas, Adams; J Evans, T Williams; Domachowski, Dacey, D Lewis, S Davies, Screech, Botham, E Jenkins (capt), Ratti

Replacements: Myhill, Carré, Arhip, Thornton, Bradley, L Williams, Priestland, M Morgan.

Referee: Tual Trainini (FFR)

Assistants: Dewi Phillps & Elliot Mayor (WRU)

TMO: Eric Briquete-Campin (FFR)