Bristol Bears produced a final-quarter blitz to run away with a 52-21 Champions Cup victory at Parc y Scarlets.

A breathtaking contest was all square at 21-21 on the hour mark, providing a feast of entertainment to the fans, who had been welcomed back to the ground for the first time since October.

The Bears, though, were in rampant mood in the final quarter, showing their ruthless streak to finish in style.

Up until the 60-minute mark there had been plenty of positives for head coach Dwayne Peel with wing Ryan Conbeer a livewire out wide, Johnny McNicholl a constant threat, Sione Kalamafoni putting in a typical carrying shift and No.8 Carwyn Tuipulotu delivering a hard-working full European debut.

But the Bears ended the match convincing winners to consign the Scarlets to the European exit door.

With Sosban Fach ringing around the stadium, the Scarlets made a strong start to the match, showing plenty of adventure and intent and were rewarded with a sixth-minute penalty from fly-half Rhys Patchell following a great touchline burst from second row Morgan Jones.

However, the West Walians were stung by a lightning double strike from the Bears, inspired by Wales international Ioan Lloyd. Playing at centre, Lloyd danced through to set up midfield partner Semi Radrada for his side’s first, then turned finisher after a lovely behind-the-back pass from flanker Chris Vui. Wales fly-half Callum Sheedy converted both to push his side 14-3 ahead after 16 minutes.

Needing a response, the Scarlets got just that.

Dane Blacker burst blindside from a scrum inside the Bears half and Liam Williams took play up to the visitors’ line. Scarlets continued to bang on the door and eventually it was hooker Ryan Elias who found a way through from close range. Patchell added the extras.

With both sides giving the ball plenty of air time,  it made for a breathless contest and the end-to-end nature continued to the half-time whistle.

Bristol went close with a line-out drive, but Scarlets were able to steal possession and Ryan Conbeer went on a mazy run upfield which led to a second Patchell penalty.

Scarlets had further pressure at the end of the half, but the Bears provided stubborn resistance to hold a one-point advantage at the break.

A McNicholl break won a penalty that saw Patchell put the Scarlets back in front at 16-14, but on the 56-minute mark French referee Mathieu Raynal awarded a penalty try and a yellow card to Elias after it was deemed the hooker had prevented a Bristol score.

Undeterred, the 14-men Scarlets continued to throw the ball wide and a lovely backline move saw McNicholl and Conbeer combine to send the full-back racing over in the corner.

That was as good as it got for the Scarlets with the Bristol bench making a big impact.

Harry Thacker claimed Bristol’s bonus-point score and with the Scarlets defence tiring, further tries were added by Siva Naulago, Piers O'Connor, Callum Sheedy and the outstanding Radrada.