Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel celebrates a double triumph after he guides his side to a URC Welsh derby win on the same day as his sister got married.
Scarlets head coach Dwayne Peel enjoyed a double celebration on Friday as his side won at Welsh rivals Cardiff on the same day as his sister got married.
Peel attended the wedding before travelling to Cardiff to lead his team to the night's 21-17 victory in the United Rugby Championship (URC), then returning to west Wales for last orders.
"I was there for about an hour at the wedding," said Peel, who hoped to return to the family celebrations in time for "a cheeky Guinness".
Scarlets extended their winning record at the Arms Park with their previous defeat at Cardiff's home ground coming back in 2019.
Cardiff coach Cornel Van Zyl said they were "not happy" as they paid for missed opportunities and denied the chance to go top of the table.
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'Davies is the ultimate professional'
Scarlets had three players sin-binned, but held on to claim only their second league victory this season in a game in which Cardiff dominated territory and possession.
Centre Eddie James crossed to give Scarlets the lead with Joe Hawkins adding the conversion.
Cardiff hit back to level through a try from Mason Grady after both Josh Macleod and Davies had been shown yellow cards.
Callum Sheedy nudged Cardiff ahead with a penalty just before the break, but Gareth Davies crossed twice, either side of a second try for the home side by Josh Adams.
Johnny Williams became the third Scarlets player to be yellow-carded with an hour gone, but high-flying Cardiff could not find a response.
"It wasn't great for the nerves," said Peel.
"Three yellow cards put us in a difficult position, but we fought hard.
"We took our opportunities when they came and I thought we fought splendidly well for each other. It was a great win."
Former Wales scrum-half Davies, 35, scored two tries at the Arms Park for a third successive season.
"I can't speak highly enough about him because he's the ultimate professional and keeps himself in great shape," said Peel.
"He said to me before the game he fancied another double so he backed that up."
Cardiff rue missed opportunities
Hosts' boss Van Zyl said: "We're not happy with that, that's not what we're about, and that's a lesson for us.
"I think we had systems in place, especially close to the line, but we didn't execute well enough.
"They took their chances and they're a quality team.
"We had 22 entries into their 22 and if you don't score on any of them and capitalise, you take your hat off to them.
"They were the better team in the sense that they created and capitalised on their opportunities."
Cardiff will now turn their attentions to another home derby when they face Dragons on 26 December.
"We'll have a review of the Scarlets game and it'll be almost a reality check," said van Zyl.
"We've been flying high and hopefully we can right the wrongs against the Dragons."
Category: General Sports
