In torrential conditions in Glasgow, Scarlets dug deep to claim a losing bonus point in a BKT United Rugby Championship game they could easily have snatched.

A contentious decision to disallow a length-of-the-field Vaea Fifita try with eight minutes remaining proved pivotal in the outcome of a game that was dictated by the monsoon-like conditions at Scotstoun.

With his side trailing 12-9 with 72 minutes on the clock, Fifita picked up a ball from the back of a ruck 80 metres and raced away to touch down in the corner.

Referee Chris Busby awarded the try, but following a lengthy discussion with the television match official, the score was chalked off and Glasgow were able to hold on for the win which secures the Warriors a home play-off spot.

The match had been billed as a dress rehearsal for the Challenge Cup semi-final between the sides at Parc y Scarlets at the end of the month, but despite both sides enjoying a reputation for free-flowing rugby, conditions dictated otherwise.

With a starting XV showing 11 changes from the quarter-final win over Clermont Auvergne a week earlier, Scarlets started strongly, taking advantage of Glasgow’s failure to deal with the kick-off.

After patiently going through the phases they were awarded a penalty on five minutes and fly-half Dan Jones made no mistake to open the scoring.

Jones doubled the Scarlets’ advantage on 12 minutes following a high tackle on Kieran Hardy, who had broken clear of the home defence.

But Scarlets were then forced to show their defensive resolve. They did that for long periods, but Glasgow managed to pull a try back four minutes before half-time when No. 8 Sione Vailanu powered over from a driving line-out.

The missed conversion made it 6-5 to the visitors at the break and Jones extended that to 9-5 with another well-struck three-pointer on 49 minutes.

Glasgow’s driving maul was proving a potent weapon and it paved the way for their second try on 56 minutes through replacement hooker Fraser Brown, converted by fly-half Tom Jordan..

But even though the home side enjoyed the bulk of territory and possession, Scarlets continued to stay in the contest.

Then came that defining moment that saw Fifita produce one of his ‘specials’ picking up and racing from his own 22 to silence Scotstoun.

However, the officials checked whether the Tongan international had come from an onside position and ruled he hadn’t.

That proved vital, allowing Glasgow to see out the game, much to the relief of the home fans.

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