Scarlets’ finished just short of clinching the URC Welsh Shield after a gripping round 18 contest against the DHL Stormers at Parc y Scarlets.

The West Walians needed a win to secure Champions Cup rugby for next season, but it was the South Africans who came out on top with a last-minute try sealing a 26-21 win for the men from Cape Town.

Scarlets went toe to toe with Stormers throughout, but came heartbreakingly close to claiming the points they needed.

In front of a sun-kissed crowd at the Parc, the home side flew out of the blocks.

Fly-half Sam Costelow opened the scoring with an early penalty then Scarlets created a superb score straight from the training ground play-book.

Scrum-half Gareth Davies dinked a lovely kick over the onrushing Stormers’ defence, Jonathan Davies gathered and he fed centre partner Johnny Williams on a free run to the line. Costelow converted and the Scarlets were in dreamland, 10-0 up.

The Stormers, though, always looked threatening and responded when the competition’s top scorer Leolin Zas stepped his way over for a score converted by fly-half Manie Libbok.

The nip and tuck nature of the game continued. Costelow extended the lead with a penalty, then a sparkling run from deep by Ryan Conbeer led to another three-pointer for his fly-half.

The Stormers then took a grip of the contest heading into half-time and although the Scarlets defended manfully, eventually No. 8 Evan Roos - the game’s outstanding player -  powered over with Libbok’s conversion making it 16-14 at the break.

The visitors picked up where they left off after the restart when centre Ruhan Nel sliced through the defence for his side’s third try, converted again by Libbok.

But the Scarlets refused to buckle.

With their front five putting in a monstrous shift against international opponents, the Scarlets remained in the contest and after Stormers flanker Deon Fourie was yellow carded for a high hit on Kieran Hardy, the home side levelled the scores.

A series of forward drives took play to within sight of the home line and it was a lovely cut-out pass from skipper Jonathan Davies that found Conbeer out wide for the score.

With Costelow and his injured replacement Rhys Patchell off the field, it was left to Liam Williams to attempt the conversion from the touchline and despite a superb strike, the ball drifted agonisingly wide of the right upright.

Scarlets tried to find a way through in the final minutes, but instead it was the Stormers who had the final word with Nel pouncing for his second and his side’s fourth in the last play of a pulsating match.