Ulster Struggle Against Six-Try Scarlets

Tries for Paul Marshall and Darren Cave proved to be the only highlights for Ulster as they endured a disappointing end to the season in Llanelli on Saturday. The Scarlets, on a high after securing a berth in next season’s Heineken Cup, cut loose for a six-try 43-17 victory.

The Scarlets leapfrogged Ulster to move up to fifth place in the Magners League standings following this comfortable bonus point win at Parc y Scarlets.

With Lions pair Stephen Jones and Matthew Rees both rested again, Nigel Davies’ charges showed their strength in depth as they picked up their first victory over Irish opposition since January.

Playing with an attacking verve, the hosts had tries from Dan Evans, Dominic Day and the in-form Lee Williams in the first half, before Darren Daniel notched the bonus point score and Martin Roberts and stand-in captain David Lyons fittingly completed the rout.

Rhys Priestland, who starred in Jones’ number 10 jersey, kicked 13 points, almost matching Ulster’s total which included converted tries from Paul Marshall and Darren Cave.

A bright start by the Scarlets was rewarded with three first half tries – the first coming after one minute and 20 seconds, scored by full-back Evans, who collected his own kick ahead.

And when Ulster centre Ian Whitten failed to roll away at a ruck, the buoyant Scarlets moved into a 10-0 lead after 15 minutes with a Priestland penalty.

But that was cancelled out three minutes later by a well-struck drop goal from Ulster number 10 Niall O’Connor, who has been called up for summer tour duty with Ireland.

That was of small consolation to Ulster, however, as they conceded two tries in the space of four minutes as the home side opened up a 22-3 advantage.

First a charging run from Day resulted in him squeezing over the line and then the pacy Williams, who had scored two tries in the win over the Cardiff Blues in midweek, was sent over by Roberts.

A disappointing half for the visitors improved somewhat when scrum half Marshall jinked his way over from a ruck 10 metres out for a converted try, which reduced the deficit to 12 points.

And Ulster were further helped by Priestland missing a long range penalty attempt just before half-time after Matt Williams’ men had strayed offside, but the Scarlets still led 22-10.

Right at the start of the second half, O’Connor missed a drop goal attempt.

But, like the first half, the Scarlets scored a try within the first two minutes when a break by prop Iestyn Thomas was finished off by Darren Daniel to give his side the bonus point.

The Ulster cause was not helped when they lost number 8 Robbie Diack to the sin bin after 58 minutes for a professional foul.

And, with the extra man, the Scarlets celebrated a fifth try scored by Roberts after some good work by both Daniel and Nick Reynolds.

In injury-time, the Scarlets put the icing on the cake with a try for former Wallaby Lyons, who scrambled over the line from close range.

Just before the end, centre Cave, another player chasing his first Ireland cap later this month, went in for Ulster’s second try but it was a case of too little, too late.