Scarlets scored six tries in an incredible BKT URC clash against the DHL Stormers in Cape Town, earning the consolation of a try bonus point from a stirring effort in the Mother City.
With less than eight minutes remaining the scores were tied up at 40-40 after a remarkable second-half comeback inspired by centre Joe Roberts, who crossed for a hat-trick.
However, replacement Yaqeen Ahmed touched down for two late tries to deny the west Walians a famous first ever win over the Stormers who ran out 52-40 winners.
Despite trailing 33-14 at the break, the Scarlets threw everything at a home side stacked with Springboks, with Roberts and Joe Hawkins outstanding in midfield, fly-half Carwyn Leggatt-Jones pulling the strings impressively in his first URC appearance of the season and the back three of Ioan Nicholas, Ioan Jones and Macs Page constant threats with ball in hand
The Scarlets were unfortunate not to finish with more than a point from their efforts, but will travel to Pretoria on Tuesday with confidence high after this performance.
With the odds stacked against them going into the game and missing five of their Wales squad members, it needed some scrambling early Scarlets defence to hold up Stormers back-rower Evan Roos.
But after hooker John McKee was yellow carded at a ruck, the Stormers struck twice in quick succession through tight-head prop Zachary Porthen from a clever front-line-out move and scrum-half Haashim Pead after the visitors had coughed up possession in Stormers territory.
The Scarlets, though, were continuing to play with plenty of adventure and slick hands from Hawkins and Jones fed Roberts for the Scarlets’ opening try on 19 minutes. Leggatt-Jones converted.
With the Stormers starting to gain set-piece ascendancy, the home fans were celebrating a third when dynamic prop Ntuthuko Mchunu charged through off the back of a line-out.
Back came the Scarlets with Jones producing a dazzling finish out wide after a lovely miss pass from Leggatt-Jones had put the winger away. The fly-half again added the extras.
Stormers had their bonus-point try in the bag when wing Seabelo Senatla touched down, then the Scarlets thought they had a third through Jones only for the score to be ruled out for a forward pass in the build-up.
To compound matters, Stormers extended their advantage on the stroke of half-time when veteran Deon Fourie was driven over from a line-out surge.
Trailing 33-14, the Scarlets shot out of the blocks early in the second half with two quickfire tries to bring them right back into the contest.
The outstanding Nicholas cut open the Stormers defence, fed Dane Blacker who found Page for his fifth try in four games, then Roberts pounced on a loose pass and sped away to the posts for his second try of the game. Significantly, it also brought up a bonus-point for the west Walians.
With their tails up, the Scarlets almost had another following charges from replacement props Sam O’Connor and Gabe Hawley, but Page was just denied, losing the ball in the process of scoring. The youngster was forced to leave the field after banging his head on the floor in the process of trying to ground the ball.
Stormers responded through replacement Olly Reid from close range, then skipper Macleod finished off another flowing Scarlets move following a burst from Fletcher Anderson and a lovely delayed pass from Sam O’Connor.
When Joe Roberts tied it up at 40-40 on 65 minutes with a brilliant individual score, Scarlets sensed something special, but Ahmed’s late double ended those hopes.
Stormers – tries: Z. Porthen, H. Pead, N. Mchunu. S. Senatla, D. Fourie, O. Reed Y. Ahmed (2). Cons: S. Feinberg-Mngomezulu (6).
Scarlets – tries: J. Roberts (3), I. Jones, M. Page, J. Macleod. Cons: C. Leggatt-Jones (5)
Ioan Nicholas; Ioan Jones, Joe Roberts, Joe Hawkins, Macs Page (repl Ioan Murray-Macgregor 49); Carwyn Leggatt-Jones, Dane Blacker (repl Archie Hughes 49); Kemsley Mathias (repl Sam O’Connor HT), John McKee (repl George Roberts 54), Harri O’Connor (repl G. Hawley HT), Alex Groves (repl Harvey Cuckson 54), Sam Lousi, Taine Plumtree, Josh Macleod (capt; repl George ROberts 13-20; repl Dan Davies 69)), Fletcher Anderson.
Reps: George Roberts, Sam O’Connor, Gabe Hawley, Harvey Cuckson, Dan Davis, Archie Hughes, Gareth Anscombe, Isaac Murray-Macgregor.
Referee; Robbie Jenkinson (IRFU)
Attendance: 16,921