The Scarlets got off to a flying start in Connacht, scoring a try inside three minutes, but let a half-time slip before going down to a 14-8 defeat in Galway.
Victory for Connacht, their first over the Scarlets since 2011, allowed them to open an even bigger gap between the two teams in the middle of the Guinness PRO12 table and the Irish province are now four points clear of the Welsh region in sixth place.
Wales wing Harry Robinson gave the Scarlets the perfect start as he touched down to make it 8-0 as his try came shortly after a Steve Shingler penalty. The first of Jack Carty’s three penalties made it 8-3 by the break and he landed a second shortly after the re-start.
But the defining moment of game, which tipped in favour of the home side in the second half, came when wing Matt Healy won the race for his kick ahead and scored the try that edged the home side into the lead.
Carty’s third penalty rounded things off and Connacht picked up their sixth win of the season. The Scarlets left with a losing bonus point.
Connacht
- Penalty J Carty 19
- Penalty J Carty 47
- Try M Healy 48
- Penalty J Carty 63
Scarlets
- Penalty S Shingler 1
- Try H Robinson 3
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