Cardiff stun Scarlets with late URC fightback

United Rugby ChampionshipScarlets (5) 24Tries: Plumtree, J Williams, Blacker, Murray Cons: Hawkins 2Cardiff (7) 28Tries: B Thomas, Sebastian 2, Winnett Cons: Sheedy 4Cardiff kept alive their United Rugby Championship (URC) play-off hopes with a dramatic bonus-point Welsh derby comeback win against Scarlets.Scarlets led 24-7 going into the final 10 minutes, but the hosts capitulated following yellow cards for Taine Plumtree and Blair Murray.AdvertisementCardiff capitalised as replacement prop Javan Sebastian crossed twice and full-back Cameron Winnett also scored in a 21-point spree in nine minutes.The Blue and Blacks led 7-5 at half-time with Wales centre Ben Thomas crossing and Scarlets flanker Plumtree responding.Scarlets scored with three early second-half tries with centre Johnny Williams, scrum-half Dane Blacker and full-back Murray crossing.This seemed to have sealed victory before Cardiff scored three late tries.With fellow play-off contenders Bulls, Connacht and Lions securing bonus-point wins, it was a vital five match points for Cardiff as they lie sixth in the table with three league weekends remaining.AdvertisementWales wing Mee injuryCardiff's lock-injury concerns had eased with George Nott and Josh McNally passed fit after missing the Challenge Cup defeat against Benetton, while Wales flanker James Botham returned in the back row.Wales trio Eddie James, Ryan Elias and Plumtree returned to the Scarlets' starting side, with the Llanelli-based outfit having not played in three weeks following their early European elimination.Former Wales full-back Liam Williams, who has just announced his retirement and played for both clubs, was given a warm welcome before the game. Williams has been mentoring young Scarlets back Callum Woolley in recent weeks.AdvertisementWales head coach Steve Tandy was watching and will be concerned to have seen Scarlets wing Ellis Mee carried off early with an ankle injury, with Joe Roberts coming on as a replacement.Cardiff capitalised and following a superb 50:22 kick from Callum Sheedy, a long-range pass from scrum-half Johan Mulder saw a well-worked moved finished off by Thomas, who was starting at outside centre for the first time in almost six years.Scarlets rallied and their attacking intent was rewarded when Plumtree flopped over, although Joe Hawkins' conversion was charged down by opposite number Sheedy.It was the one first-half occasion the hosts' capitalised on attacking dominance with three other attacks stopped by Cardiff.AdvertisementScarlets won an attacking scrum which was followed by an altercation between both sets of forwards.The penalty was reversed when Plumtree pushed his hand in the face of opposite number Alex Mann.More Plumtree ill-discipline will not have been lost on Tandy as Scarlets lost an encouraging attacking platform.Cardiff wing Mason Grady demonstrated his athleticism early in the second half with a rampaging run stopped by Scarlets flanker Jarrod Taylor. Grady was forced off with a serious thumb injury and replaced by Ioan Lloyd.Scarlets took advantage of the reshuffle with a quickly-taken penalty by scrum-half Blacker and wonderful passes from prop Kemsley Mathias and Plumtree allowed centre Williams to cross.AdvertisementPlumtree stole the Cardiff line-out that led to Scarlets' third try with Blacker and Tom Rogers, who will leave for Ospreys next season, combining with the scrum-half crossing.While Tandy would have been noting Plumtree's ill-discipline in the first half, he would have lauded the Scarlets' flanker's qualities after the break.Cardiff's line-out continued to malfunction under Scarlets' pressure and there was no surprise when the bonus-point try came with Rogers and Roberts combining to send over Murray.The conflicting nature of Plumtree was demonstrated when he was shown a yellow card for a cynical offence, his seventh sin-binning of the season.AdvertisementFormer Scarlets prop Sebastian crossed almost immediately and Cardiff were rejuvenated.Botham set up Winnett for the third try with Murray also sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on.That led Cardiff with a two-man advantage and they demonstrated patience and composure with Sebastian coming back to haunt his former side with the bonus-point try.Cardiff ownership to be decidedOspreys could dent Cardiff's play-off hopes next week when they travel to the Arms Park on Friday night.That is an Ospreys side, whose owners Y11 Sports & Media are still officially in discussions to buy Cardiff from the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), a process that started in January.AdvertisementOnly in the continually chaotic and wacky world of Welsh rugby you feel could that scenario actually exist.There are major doubts whether any deal could be agreed with the latest deadline ending on Wednesday, two days before Cardiff and Ospreys face each other.At an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) earlier this week, the WRU doubled down on their controversial decision to cut a professional side.There was still no plan outlined or presented to the clubs on how or which team will be culled with the only information assured is there will be a licence in the west, east and one in Cardiff.So it promises to be another eventful week in Welsh rugby on and off the field.AdvertisementLine-upsScarlets: Murray; Rogers, James, J Williams, Mee; Hawkins, Blacker; Mathias, Elias, Holz, Lousi, Douglas, Plumtree, Taylor, Anderson (capt).Replacements: Van der Merwe, J Morse, H O'Connor, Price, Davis, Hughes, Leggatt-Jones, J Roberts.Sin-bin: Plumtree 70, Murray 75Cardiff: Winnett; Beetham, B Thomas, Jennings, Grady; Sheedy, Mulder; Barratt, Belcher (capt), Assiratti, McNally, Nott, Mann, Botham, Lawrence.Replacements: Hughes, Southworth, Sebastian, Thornton, D Thomas, Basham, Bevan, I Lloyd.Referee: Morne Ferreira (South Africa)Assistant referees: Adam Jones (Wales), Carwyn Sion (Wales)TMO: Christopher Allison (South Africa).