Scarlets edge closer to Europe

Ken Owens scored the only try of the match as Scarlets boosted their chances of a top-half Pro12 finish by running out 16-6 winners against Cardiff Blues.

The result means Scarlets took a major step closer to the Champions Cup.

Wayne Pivac's men will now have their destiny in their own hands when they take on Treviso in Italy next Saturday, as they look to secure a place at Europe's top table.

A win would guarantee them sixth spot in the Pro12 and qualification for next season's Champions Cup. In fact, just a draw or two bonus points would be enough.

It looked like the match would be a battle of the boots, as Rhys Priestland and Rhys Patchell exchanged four penalties between them in the opening period.

But the home side grew into the match and, while it was a far-from dominant performance, Owens' try was enough to secure a deserved victory.

It was a scrappy start from both sides with possession changing hands several times due to sloppy handling errors in the early exchanges.

Both sides tried to find some rhythm with the Blues making steady progress into Scarlets territory before the home side responded with a foray of their own.

But Cardiff held firm and began to turn the screw on their hosts with a period of sustained pressure in the 18th minute.

That brought about a penalty and saw Liam Williams sent to the sin bin for a dangerous tackle before Patchell dispatched the kick for the first points.

The score ignited Scarlets and they responded by launching their first significant assault on their Welsh rivals' line.

And the pressure told after 25 minutes as the 14-men restored parity thanks to the boot of Priestland.

After returning to full strength the home side looked to build a foothold in the match and they managed to edge in front thanks to another penalty from Priestland after 32 minutes.

The Blues were on the back foot and Scarlets were pushing hard for the game's first try with Harry Robinson almost doing enough to cross the whitewash but for a great tackle from Richard Smith.

They did manage to extend their lead shortly before the break however as Cardiff were penalised for offside and Priestland kept up his flawless record from the tee.

The momentum was with the home side but Patchell made sure they didn't pull away as he moved his side within three shortly after the break.

Patchell almost moved his side in front after 45 minutes when the ball popped loose and he gave chase down the left only for Scott Williams to thwart the attempt.

That moment seemed to set the game alight and Patchell had an almost identical opportunity shortly after but this time it was Aaron Shingler who halted his advances.

Patchell was in the thick of the action and he had the chance to level with a penalty on the hour mark.

But he dragged a fairly straightforward kick wide and the scores remained finely poised at 9-6.

And he was made to rue the miss after 65 minutes when a Scarlets maul drove Ken Owens over the line and Priestland was on hand to turn over the conversion and seal the win for Wayne Pivac's men.

The scorers:

For Scarlets:

Try: Owens

Con: Priestland

Pens: Priestland 3

For Cardiff Blues:

Pens: Patchell 2

Yellow card: Liam Williams (Scarlets, 18)

Teams:

Scarlets: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Harry Robinson, 13 Hadleigh Parkes, 12 Scott Williams, 11 Steff Evans, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Aled Davies, 8 John Barclay, 7 James Davies, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Lewis Rawlins, 4 Jake Ball, 3 Peter Edwards, 2 Ken Owens (captain), 1 Phil John.

Replacements: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Jacobie Adriaanse, 19 George Earle, 20 Rory Pitman, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Steven Shingler, 23 Adam Warren.

Cardiff Blues: 15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Garyn Smith, 12 Gavin Evans, 11 Joaquin Tuculet, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Josh Navidi, 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Filo Paulo, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Craig Mitchell, 2 Matthew Rees (captain), 1 Thomas Davies.

Replacements: 16 Rhys Williams, 17 Sam Hobbs, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Lou Reed, 20 Manoa Vosawai, 21Tavis Knoyle, 22 Tom Isaacs, 23 Richard Smith.

Referee: Johnny Lacey (Ireland)