Edinburgh edge out Scarlets

Edinburgh claimed a hard-fought 17-16 victory over the Scarlets at Parc y Scarlets on Friday evening.

With little between the sides on the night, tries from Greg Laidlaw and Craig Hamilton saw the Scottish team secure another impressive away success.

The Scarlets, who were 13-10 ahead with the less than 30 minutes to play, scored through Richie Pugh and Lee Williams, but those efforts were only good enough to claim a losing bonus point.

The Scarlets were without Wales quartet Matthew Rees, Mark Jones, Dafydd Jones and Morgan Stoddart. But centre Jonathan Davies and scrum-half Martin Roberts returned, while fly-half Stephen Jones was named on the bench.

Chris Paterson captained Edinburgh in the absence of injured duo Mike Blair and Allister Hogg.

In damp, cold conditions, the Scarlets opened the scoring on three minutes with a Rhys Priestland penalty after Edinburgh openside Ryan Grant failed to release at a ruck.

Blow

A drop-goal from David Blair levelled the scores four minutes later, and that was how the scoreline remained until the half hour.

An initial break by Scarlets centre Jonathan Davies was taken on by Lou Reed, Andy Fenby then jinked his way down the touchline before sending openside Pugh over for an unconverted try.

The hosts took that 8-3 lead into the interval, however Edinburgh hit back eight minutes after the restart through scrum-half Laidlaw.

Paterson's conversion took the Scots into the lead for the first time, but that lead lasted just three minutes before replacement Stephen Jones put Williams in for the second try.

But the Scarlets' celebrations were shortlived as they went behind again five minutes later when Blair darted through a gap to put replacement lock Hamilton over for a converted try.

The home side's hopes of responding were dealt a blow when flanker Josh Turnbull, who had only been on seconds, was yellow carded for a dangerous challenge on Nick de Luca.

Intense pressure from the Scarlets got them within a point with 12 minutes left when Jones slotted a penalty goal, however Edinburgh held on for the points.

Edinburgh are now level on points with Glasgow at the top of the Magners League, although the Warriors' superior points difference puts them in first place.