The Scarlets scored 49 unanswered points as they produced a stunning second-half display to complete the URC double over Cardiff at the Arms Park.

The West Walians trailed 14-0 after just 12 minutes, stung by a blistering start from the hosts.

But after that, the game was turned on its head, with Dwayne Peel’s side running in seven converted tries.

Birthday boy Liam Williams bagged two, while player of the match Aaron Shingler, flanker Dan Davis, wing Tom Rogers and skipper Jonathan Davies also crossed. There was also a penalty try courtesy of a line-out rumble, while Sam Costelow and Angus O’Brien had a faultless day with the boot.

A third consecutive bonus-point win lifts the Scarlets to ninth in the URC standings and within sight of the play-offs with four matches remaining.

In front of a strong travelling support, Scarlets were aiming to be quick out of the blocks, but just like the previous week it was the men in blue and black who started the stronger and just like seven days earlier, it was the left wing who was scoring  in the opening minutes. This time, it was young speedster Theo Cabango who took advantage of a break from Matthew Morgan to race over after just two minutes.

It got better for the home side when scrum-half Lloyd Williams latched onto an Owen Lane inside pass for a second try and with Jarrod Evans converting both Cardiff were 14-0 to the good in as many minutes.

But as the half wore on Scarlets came more into the contest, enjoying the bulk of possession and territory.

Johnny McNichioll and Tom Rogers almost crafted a try for Gareth Davies then Sione Kalamafoni was denied from a close-range tap penalty.

Eventually, Scarlets got the try their pressure deserved. Skipper Jonathan Davies made the initial break before feeding Shaun Evans, an impressive replacement for hooker Ryan Elias who had left the field after a clash of heads.

Evans was brought down before the line, but Scarlets showed good patience and when the ball was recycled after a couple of forward drives it was the outstanding Shingler who showed his power to touch down wide out.

Costelow converted with the final kick of the half and it was all to play for in the second period.

Within four minutes of the restart the scores were level with Johnny McNicholl setting up Liam Williams for the first of his two tries.

From then on, it was one-way traffic with the Scarlets taking full advantage of the wind and Cardiff losing Jarrod Evans and Seb Davies to the sin bin.

Evans was shown yellow for a high hit on Johnny Williams, while Davies was carded for illegally halting the line-out maul that led to the penalty try on 54 minutes.

Four minutes later the bonus-point was in the bag thanks to a short-range effort from Dan Davis.

Both sides lost a number of players to injuries, Wales internationals Ryan Elias, Johnny McNicholl and Wyn Jones all left the field for the Scarlets, but Cardiff also suffered major disruption and in the closing minutes, with Sosban Fach ringing around the Arms Park, Scarlets twisted the knife with a rapid try double from the lively Rogers and captain Davies to complete a comprehensive triumph.

The win cements the Scarlets position at the top of the Welsh Shield and moves them within six points of the top eight, with a game in hand over many of their rivals.