With both teams entering the encounter with vastly changed teams due to injury and unavailability, the game lacked the fluidity of previous matches in the championship, but this was more than made up for by the aggression and determination of both teams throughout.
The Scarlets got off to a flying start with two early score thanks to full back Jess Kavanagh-Williams and outside half Karen Mayze, answering an SOS call to come out of retirement for the game. A further score from Jennie Collins, playing out of position at centre, gave the visitors a 15-0 lead with 20 minutes on the clock. This in no way disrupted the home team.
The Blues, with former Wales front rower Jenny Davies at the forefront, produced several turnovers at the contact area, this allowed the home backs to string together some attacking passages of play which resulted in outside half, Bethan Davies scoring wide out, giving a half time score of 5-15 to the visitors.
From the restart, the Scarlets were once again on the attack. Scores from winger Angharad de Smet and a second for Mayze stretched the visitors lead.
The cause of the Blues was not helped by the loss of several key players to injury, which resulted in replacements having to play out of position. Despite this, the defence of the home team was resolute in holding out the attacking forays of the team in red.
Ultimately the task proved to be too great for the hosts. Debutant Scarlets winger, Catrina Bowen, with her first touch in regional rugby, and the ever impressive Lowri Harries, both crossing the line to give the Scarlets a 35-5 bonus point win.
In the other game, the Ospreys ensured the final round would be a winner-takes all scenario, by defeating the Dragons 41-10 at St Helen’s.
The game began with some noticeable absentees from both teams. The dominance of the Ospreys pack started to tell early on and saw Keira Bevan dart over for the first Ospreys points.
Soon afterwards, Ffion Bowen broke clear before offloading to Rosie Fletcher who scored just left of the posts. The try was converted by Robyn Wilkins.
Siwan Lillicrap passed to Cara Hope who trotted over from 15m.
The Dragons finally struck back with a well worked forwards effort from Rhian Bowden.
Two minutes after half time, Wilkins broke the Dragons defence and cantered over for a try which she also converted.
Shortly after another well worked forwards try was scored by the Dragons with Kate Hallet going over.
The Ospreys dominance of the forwards told once more with Lillicrap, having already been integral in an earlier try, controlled the ball at the back of a scrum as it powered over the try line.
Not wanting to miss out on the act, two further tries were scored by prop Amy Evans which was converted by Wilkins, and Bowen.
