RaboDirect PRO12: Ian Evans scores late try as Ospreys edge 10-6 win over Scarlets
The Ospreys made it successive wins over the festive period after they edged out Scarlets 10-6 on Thursday.
Last Updated: 26/12/13 6:19pm
A try six minutes from time by Wales lock Ian Evans proved decisive as the visitors moved up to second place in the league standings.
Scarlets had been leading through two Rhys Priestland penalties until Evans went over from a line-out drive on 73 minutes.
The home side went through 21 phases in the final two minutes looking for the winning try but Ospreys defence held firm in memorable match.
The scoreline had been 3-0 to the Scarlets at the interval but that said little of an enthralling first half which was full of intensity from both sides.
The Scarlets went into the lead as early as the seventh minute when Ryan Jones was penalised at a ruck with Priestland converting the three points.
Ospreys had expected to win the battle up front but at the first scrum on halfway they were penalised but New Zealand wing Fraizer Climo failed to double the lead.
On 20 minutes Dan Biggar pulled a drop-goal attempt and the Ospreys best chance at a try did not come off when Canadian wing Jeff Hassler was bundled into touch just before he could get the left corner.
Four minutes before the break Ospreys had a chance to level the scores when Scarlets prop Samson Lee was penalised at a scrum on halfway but Biggar's kick fell short - the outside-half's first miss in 36 attempts.
And uncharacteristically Biggar missed an easier attempt two minutes into the second half.
At the other end Priestland kicked his second penalty after Alun Wyn Jones had committed an offence at the line-out.
A match looked as if it had taken a major twist when Hanno Dirksen went over in the right corner but after a long look at the replays Television Match Official Tim Hayes ruled it out for a foot in touch,
With 12 minutes remaining Biggar finally found his mark to break his team's duck with a penalty.
And it was Biggar who gave his side great field position with a penalty kick to the corner and from the resulting line-out Evans went over.
Scarlets did their best to respond but even with the a yellow card for Alun Wyn Jones the Ospreys were able to hold on.
