The Wales back-rower came off the bench to make his first regional appearance of the season and grabbed a crucial try in the 23-16 triumph.
Having lost the first three matches of their RaboDirect PRO12 defence, the pressure was on the reigning champions, who travelled to the unbeaten Scarlets’ back yard.
But they ripped up the formbook to put their league campaign back on track.
“We’re feeling relief more than anything,” said Jones.
“When you target something and work so hard for it, your initial reaction is relief.
“The thing is for us there are far more positives to take from the match. There are elements of our game we pride ourselves on, and there were glimpses of those on Friday.
“With our attitude, desire and much improved set-piece, we got a bit more territory, possession and then more points.
“We were far more physical. That’s the minimum expected when you put on an Ospreys jersey.”
Jones’ 72nd-minute try put the Ospreys on course for their emphatic victory and the triple Grand Slammer was delighted to be back in action following minor knee surgery.
“It’s good to be back,” added Jones. “It’s been a long, trying summer but I’d always earmarked this game for a return and I sneaked in at the eleventh hour.
“I came back a little sooner than I expected. I had an operation on a knee cartilage which I’d had to manage throughout last season.
“It was nice to have a break in some ways, but it was hard work getting back to fitness and I just love playing rugby.
“It was great to come down here to a stadium full of passionate rugby fans and sneak a win.
“It’s all good fun. You’ve got to enjoy the banter that’s always flying around.”
The Swansea-based region welcome Munster to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday and Jones insists they must continue to improve.
“We’ll take confidence from this, but we weren’t lacking confidence because of previous results,” added the Ospreys stalwart.
“We’ve worked incredibly hard but we’ve got to get better again.”
