A brilliant second-half comeback from Harlequins sealed their dramatic Heineken Cup triumph against Scarlets at a stunned Stradey Park.

The Quins trailed 19-3 at the interval of this see-sawing Pool Four tie and looked completely out of it - but they looked a different side after the break.

Fly-half Chris Malone kicked 19 points, while tries from scrum-half Danny Care and wing Ugo Monye made it a miserable final European game at the famous old ground for home fans.

Scarlets will wonder how they blew such an advantage, after dominating a first 40 minutes in which they scored two tries. Had it not been for some desperate visitors' defence, they could have claimed at least four more.

But the sin-binning of Wales hooker Matthew Rees after 61 minutes proved crucial.

Scarlets had made a blistering start, full-back Morgan Stoddart crossing after just 32 seconds.

Full-back Mike Brown failed to make touch from the kick-off, and a couple of simple passes across the line opened up the visitors' defence. The ball made its way into the hands of the strong-running Stoddart, and he showed great strength and pace to win the race to the whitewash.

The home side could have claimed two more rapid tries. Wing Mark Jones was held up over the line, and then Stoddart dropped a pass with the touchdown at his mercy.

But the home endeavour was soon rewarded when slick hands from Gavin Evans and Stoddart gave Mark Jones a free run to the corner.

French referee Christophe Berdos went to the television match official for confirmation, but the Scarlets were in no doubt about the score.

Jones again missed with the touchline conversion; then Quins got themselves on the board with a well-struck penalty from opposite number Malone.

The Scarlets could have claimed a third when Mark Jones was put away down the left, only for Pumas centre Gonzalo Tiesi to track across brilliantly to save the day.

Jones extended the advantage to 13-3 after 23 minutes; then Malone missed with a penalty from straight in front.

Some midfield brilliance from Regan King and Evans carved open Harlequins once more - but after the Kiwi was held up just short by Malone, the Scarlets had to be content with a second penalty success from Jones.

A magnificent cover tackle from England international Brown denied the Scarlets once more, after right wing Darren Daniel had pounced on a Stephen Jones kick out of defence.

But the home side had the final word of the half when Jones kicked his third penalty to send the three-time semi-finalists into half-time in apparent control.

Two Malone penalties within seven minutes of the restart offered Quins renewed hope, only for Jones to claim another three after strong work by the home eight.

Then came the Quins comeback.

After a series of rumbles into the heart of the Scarlets defence, the Quins won a penalty a few yards out from the line - and livewire scrum-half Care darted over.

Malone converted, then added a penalty after Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on replacement Tani Fuga.

Then the Quins struck in clinical fashion.

An inch-perfect cross-kick from Malone sat up beautifully for wing Monye, who sprinted under the posts to give his side the lead for the first time.

Malone's conversion made it 26-22, and another Malone penalty with the final kick of the half completed the job.