Cardiff Blues claimed a bonus-point win over the Scarlets which put them on course for the semi-finals of the LV= Cup.
Both sides now sweating on semi-final place
Cardiff Blues claimed a bonus-point win over the Scarlets which put them on course for the semi-finals of the LV= Cup.
The Blues came up with five tries in total, three of them arriving in the space of 12 second-half minutes when they had trailed 17-7.
Scarlets headed into the contest in the knowledge that a bonus-point would have been enough to secure their spot in the last four of the competition, but will now have to wait on the result Sunday's match between Harlequins and Newcastle like their opponents.
Some poor tactical kicking from both sides helped ensure that the game remained scoreless for the first half-hour, although both sides had chances to get on the board with Scarlets Lee Williams making one outstanding try-saving tackle on Gareth Williams.
The deadlock was eventually broken by Scarlets' back Rhys Priestland, who forced his way over from five metres out after a concerted period of pressure from the hosts.
The Blues should have responded straight away but Ceri Sweeney dropped the ball under the posts, but his blushes were spared shortly afterwards when Tom Shanklin forced his way over to level things at 7-7.
But it was then all Scarlets until the break as they added two tries in the space of four minutes open up a 17-7 at the interval.
Outpaced
Firstly Williams made amends for some earlier profligacy by outpacing the visiting defence to touch down his own kick ahead and, after a strong scrum, number eight David Lyons forced his way over.
But it was a completely different story after the break with the Blues producing a stunning fightback to pull into an unlikely 28-17 lead with three quickfire tries, two for Casey Laulala.
His first came from a scrum on the 22 and six minutes later he ran in from 70 metres after stealing an interception.
The Blues' try blitz was complete when prop Taufa'ao Filise powered his way over from close range to seal the bonus-point.
The stunned Scarlets did manage to stop the rot with two Priestland penalties, but the losing bonus-point was snatched from their grasp by Paul Tito's try two minutes from time.
