Good news for Wales as George roars back

By STEFFAN THOMAS

Ospreys …………54pts

Tries: Smith 16, Morris 27, Lake 49, 54; Collins 59, Watkin 69, Parry 79

Conversions: Anscombe 18, 28, 47, 55, 59, 70, 80

Scarlets …………36pts

Tries: G Davies 20, Conbeer 24, 34, 75; Hardy 72

Conversions: Costelow 21, 25, 35; Patchell 72

Penalties: Costelow 8

GEORGE North returned from 12 months on the sidelines to help Ospreys crush the Scarlets.

The Wales star was introduced earlier than planned replacing Matt Protheroe on the stroke of half-time and made a big impact.

This was his first game since injuring his knee against Cardiff last April, and his return comes as a timely boost for Wales head coach Wayne Pivac ahead of their summer tour of South Africa.

“It's just great to see players come through long term injuries and get themselves back performing well,” said Ospreys head coach Toby Booth.

“Our hand was forced, and we knew that the advantage of having George at 13 means he's going to get his hands on the ball a bit more and be a handful.

“It was drummed into me when I arrived at the Ospreys that the west Wales derby is the biggest game. This was the best performance of the season for sure.”

Scarlets held a 10-point lead at the interval but Ospreys scored six secondhalf tries to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions Cup.

The Ospreys drew first blood when Nicky Smith powered over from shortrange for a try which Gareth Anscombe converted. But the Scarlets hit back with a well-crafted try of their own.

Sam Costelow was playing so flat he sent dynamic Argentinian openside Tomas Lezana charging towards the Ospreys 22. Lezana found Gareth Davies on his shoulder who touched down for the try.

The Scarlets were full of confidence and when the ball found its way into Ryan Conbeer's hands he brushed aside Protheroe with ease before running in unopposed from 45 metres. Costelow converted from the touchline, but the Ospreys hit back when Morgan Morris powered over the line.

A well-timed pass from Costelow put Conbeer over for an easy finish meaning the Scarlets held a 24-14 lead at the interval.

The Ospreys came out firing in the second-half, with Anscombe slicing through the defence and his pass sent Keelan Giles over for a try.

Star man: Dewi Lake scores his first try for Ospreys

PICTURE: Huw Evans

This was end to end stuff with the Scarlets reduced to 14 men when wing Corey Baldwin got sent to the sin bin for intentionally slapping the ball down as Giles attempted to offload after another electric break.

The Ospreys made the most of their numerical advantage with Dewi Lake scoring two tries in the space of five minutes courtesy of the Ospreys' driving lineout. Giles sparked the Ospreys' next try with a sensational 75-metre break before finding Michael Collins for the try.

Owen Watkin was next on the board as he charged over from short-range before Kieran Hardy claimed one back for the Scarlets. Conbeer showed his strength to brush off three defenders for his hattrick before Sam Parry sealed the victory for the Ospreys.

“I thought we weren't really in the fight for the first 20 minutes of the second-half,” said Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel. “I felt there were a couple of lapses of concentration from our side which shows a bit of weakness.”