Javan Sebastian snatched Cardiff a stunning bonus-point victory over his former club to keep the Blue & Blacks’ BKT United Rugby Championship play-off hopes alive. 

The Scarlets led 24-7 as the final ten minutes approached with the home side striking for three devastating tries in the space of eight minutes after Cardiff led at the break.

But Sebastian gave hope and Cam Winnett dived in to set up a thrilling finale. 

With the Scarlets down to 13, due to a succession of cynical infringements, and the full-time whistle approaching, Cardiff went for the kill.

And as the clock ticked into the red Sebastian completed his brace to secure an unbelievable comeback victory, taking his side from ninth to sixth in the table.

Cardiff made a positive start at Parc y Scarlets and dominated the early territorial battle with Callum Sheedy and Cam Winnett kicking to good effect.

It was the boot of Sheedy that laid the foundations of the first points as he spotted space in the Scarlets back-field, cutting back inside and poking a kick through for a 50-22. 

The ball was won at the front of the lineout with Cardiff going through the phases from close-range until a cut out pass from Johan Mulder found Ben Thomas in the opposite corner.

Thomas dived in to finish expertly with Sheedy adding the extras from the touchline. 

The Scarlets responded with a long period of pressure, largely earned through penalties kicked deep into the Cardiff 22. 

Cardiff defended well and stole one lineout before the Scarlets made it third time lucky. Following a slow driving lineout which the Blue & Blacks repelled, the Scarlets did remarkably well to retrieve the ball and Plumtree crossed in the corner. 

Charge down memories renewed

Sheedy charged down Joe Hawkins’ conversion attempt, in scenes reminiscent of Jason Harries at Parc y Scarlets in 2021. 

It was almost a case of Deja vu when Blair Murray kicked a superb 50-22 to the corner but Cardiff defended well and earned a turnover. 

Penalties again gave Scarlets the opportunity to go on the attack, with the tally now standing at 7-3, but Ryan Elias fluffed his lines at the ensuing lineout. 

With the Scarlets awarded yet another penalty, it was Cardiff that finally benefitted from Morne Ferreira’s whistle as Taine Plumtree was penalised for off the ball goading of Alex Mann.

Cardiff had a rare opportunity to attack, their first since their try, as half-time approached but they could not manufacture anything and settled for a 5-7 lead. 

The Blue & Blacks again made a promising start to the half but lost Mason Grady to a dislocated thumb after an impressive break down the left.

And moments later the Scarlets struck with two devastating tries in less than two minutes to surge in front.

First former Cardiff man, Dane Blacker took a quick penalty and Plumtree threw a sensational offload inside as he dived acrobatically to the corner, with Johnny Williams collecting.

Joe Hawkins converted and barely after the restart, Blacker sniped down the short side, releasing Tom Rogers, who returned the ball to the scrum-half to score.

Hawkins was off-target on this occasion, leaving the score 17-10 after 48 minutes and matters soon became worse for the Blue & Blacks.

Playing off first phase, the west Walians struck with a set-play from inside their own half, with Tom Rogers making the line-break and putting Blair Murray away. Hawkins was again on target to make it 24-7, leaving Cardiff staring down the barrel. 

The Scarlets continued to pile on the pressure but momentum swung as the final 10 minutes approached.

With Cardiff hammering at the Scarlets line, Plumtree cynically infringed and was sent to the sin-bin. The visitors went back on the attack with a tap penalty and Sebastian eventually powered over. Sheedy converted to give Cardiff further hope of a late comeback.

That was given further life as Winnett squeezed into the corner following a sustained period of pressure, in which the Scarlets infringed on several occasions. 

Thankfully Ferreira did not overlook the indiscretions and Blair Murray joined Plumtree in the sin-bin for his deliberate knock on.

And with seconds to spare, Cardiff managed to set up camp in the red zone and Sebastian touched down for his third try of the season against the Scarlets.