James puts Ospreys on top
Two tries from prop Paul James gave the Ospreys a comfortable 21-14 win over the Scarlets to top the Magners League.
Last Updated: 26/12/09 4:59pm
Two tries from prop Paul James and three second-half penalties from Dan Biggar gave the Ospreys a comfortable 21-14 win over the Scarlets on Boxing Day.
James grabbed the only tries of the game for Ospreys as they cantered to victory in their Welsh derby with the Scarlets to go to the top of the Magners League table.
Man of the match James scored in each half at Parc y Scarlets to condemn the hosts to their seventh defeat from nine outings.
Johnathan Edwards went over in the final minute to grab a losing bonus for Scarlets as a consolation after Dan Biggar had converted a try and kicked three penalties to put the visitors in control.
A first capacity crowd of the season of 14,800 fans was in high spirits at half time as Scarlets deservedly led 9-7 after dominating the territorial advantage in the opening 40 minutes.
Early lead
They went ahead after six minutes with a penalty goal for Stephen Jones after Ricky Januarie was caught in possession, and they stayed in front when Biggar was wide of the target on his first penalty attempt - his first miss in 19 attempts in the last three matches.
The Ospreys scored from their first real foray forward though, with Tommy Bowe and Biggar making good ground and, from a loose ball at the subsequent line-out, James went over unopposed for his first try.
The Scarlets responded well at the end of the first half. First Rhys Priestland put over a penalty from the halfway line and, in injury time, Jones gave his side a two-point lead at the break with his second penalty.
But the Ospreys produced a key moment three minutes into the second half when James, situated on the right wing, went over for the second and crucial try.
The Ospreys, boosted by the appearance of Lee Byrne coming on for his first rugby for two months, opened up an 18-9 lead with two Biggar penalties in the space of five minutes - the first of which he missed but was allowed to retake 10 metres closer to the posts because Martin Roberts put him off.
The Scarlets twice threatened the Ospreys line with concerted attacks, but five minutes from time Biggar planted a third penalty.
Edwards' consolation try came from the final play of the game.
