Head coach Dwayne Peel and skipper Josh Macleod paid tribute to the travelling Scarlets support that spurred the side on to a first BKT United Rugby Championship victory of the season at the Arms Park.
Once again, the capital was turned Scarlet, with Sosban Fach reverberating around the famous old Cardiff ground as the visitors rode out a tense finale to claim a 25-19 victory – their fifth successive league win at the ground.
Macleod said: “We always have an amazing support here. That doesn’t go unnoticed. In the last 10-15 minutes, they didn’t go away, they kept backing us and that really helped.”
Those words were echoed by Peel.
“It’s important to mention the travelling support,” he said. “That really spurred us on at the end. It matters in the final few minutes when you are fighting for the game and you can hear Sosban Fach. The support was outstanding.”
Peel added: “From a character perspective, I am really pleased.
“Defending your line with 13 men is pretty savage and we managed that period well.
“That’s three games that have gone down to the wire for us this season. We managed to stick in there this time and it was nice to get the win. You look at that try-saving tackle by Blair Murray, that summed up the character we showed.
“I can’t underestimate how important that was to see it out but there is still a lot to work on. That’s twice in three weeks we have been down to 13 men, we can’t keep allowing that to happen. We also went into the opponent’s 22 five times in that first half and came away with one score. But we’ll enjoy that win and it makes your Sunday easier doesn’t it?”
Reflecting on the nerve-shredding finale that saw Scarlets reduced to 13 men following the sin-binnings of Tom Rogers and Macleod himself, the skipper added: “It was pretty stressful on the bench. I will be honest, I was nervous.
“But the 13 men who were on the pitch showed plenty of resolve and resilience. Cardiff kept bashing at the door and we kept shutting it. It was some effort from the team. We had 13 warriors out there.
“We have had a couple of victories snatched pretty cruelly from us at the end of the games,” added Macleod.
“This time the tide turned and hopefully that momentum can carry us forward now.”
Scarlets are back at home on Friday night when they take on Vodacom Bulls at Parc y Scarlets (19:35).
Tickets are available HERE at tickets.scarlets.wales