Fourth consecutive victory for the Scarlets as they defeat Ulster 24-17

 

It was full steam ahead at Parc y Scarlets as the region secured a fourth consecutive victory on a wet and windy Saturday afternoon.

 

It was back to RaboDirect PRO12 action today for a good old fashioned 3 o’clock kick-off! Ulster brought many of their World Cup players with them for their starting XV. For the Scarlets, Sean Lamont starts at centre and Ken Owens starts at hooker, with another two World Cup stars, Tavis Knoyle and Scott Williams, on the bench. It was good to see club captain Matthew Rees on the bench as well, having had recently recvered from neck surgery. Rob McCusker led the Scarlets in front of over 7000 supporters at Parc y Scarlets.

We all know about past narrow defeats to Ulster, with Pienaar’s last minute long-range penalty snatching victory away from us at the last minute last time round. A victory for the Scarlets today would put us on the same number of league points as we had this time last season.

The rain welcomed the two teams on to the pitch and the floodlights were on from the start. A glorious Dan Evans cross field kick put the Scarlets within 5 metres of their try line in the first couple of minutes, a sign of what was to come. Ulster then put some phases together and the Scarlets defence put in some solid tackles. With seven minutes gone however, the Scarlets are penalised on their 22 for off-side and Ian Humphries steps up to take the kick. It’s over, 0-3. Ulster have had more of the play so far.

But the Scarlets are straight back on the attack a high kick up field is chased by Fenby and Scarlets get possession. Ben Morgan is prominent in the attack, Ulster clear but not out of their own half. They retain possession however and are up to 5 metres of the Scarlets line with one kick. From that lineout they get a penalty, Scarlets in from the side, and kick back in to touch 5 metres out. Great work from the Scarlets forwards, securing possession from the ruck and a kick puts them up to 10 meter line. Scarlets haven’t really got going yet though, with 15 minutes gone.

It’s a bit scrappy at the moment, with miss kicks and handling errors creeping in. The Scarlets do some neat work at the breakdown and have started to put things together however. Another knock-on from Ulster, this time from Trimble, gives Scarlets posession again in their half. A few neat passing moves are out together, Johnathan Edwards makes a lovely break taking Scarlets into their 22. Ulster are finally penalised for not releasing the tackled player and from 15 metres out, Aled kicks the Scarlets first points. 3-3 after 28 minutes. No more than the Scarlets deserve for their pressure in the last 10 minutes.

Scarlets get another penalty on their ten metre line, pretty much in line with the posts. And it’s a nice one from Aled Thomas! 6-3 to the Scarlets after 35 minutes. Straight from the restart Dan Evans kicks a touch finder that cover the whole pitch nearly and takes his team to wothin 5 metres of theoir try-line. The Scarlets get lineout posssesion as well but it’s a bit messy and Ulster clear. Still, Dan Evans is having a good half in attack and defence. And it’s another beauty of a touch finder from him, putting Scarlets back in their 22.

Right at the end, a lovely break from Rhodri Williams cuts through their defence, the ball gets out to Liam Williams, via Ben Morgan, and the winger flies under the posts! Aled makes no mistake with the conversion and the Scarlets go back to the dressing room ten points clear at 13-3.

It’s the same team that takes to the pitch and they pick things up where they left off. It’s early pressure from the Scarlets. First a high kick that puts Ulster in trouble, then a blistering 25 metre run from Andy Fenby. Good start!

That huge roar only means one thing! Matthew and Tavis are on! Rhodri and Ken also get warm applause as they make way for them. Ulster miss a long range penalty kick and look dangerous from the restart. But the Scarlets defence hold out and push them back outside their 22. But it’s still an Ulster attack and from it, the Scarlets are penalised for off-side. From the 22 in line with the posts, Humphries succeeds and it’s 13-6 after ten minutes of the second half.

Then it’s a lovely 5 minutes of attacking rugby from the Scarlets, with Sean Lamont featuring, and Rhys Thomas, in a period of lovely passing and forward pressure. This earns the Scarlets a penalty which Aled again puts between the posts and Scarlets 10 point lead is maintained. 16-6. Not long after, Humphries succeeds to close the gap again with a penalty in front of the posts. 16-9.

Another geneorus roar as Scott Williams comes on for Liam Williams after twenty minutes of the second half. Phil John comes on for Rhodri Jones. Sean Lamont again shows his strength in breaking through tackles. But on the counter attack, Ulster break out and Trimble tuches down in the corner after a long chase. The ref and his assistant have a long chat about it – there is no TMO! – and decide that it was proper touchdown. They miss the conversion so it’s 16-14.

A huge forward effort in the scrum sees Ulster getting penalised but for the first time in the game, Dan Evans kick doesn’t find touch. Their clearance kick however is worse and its Scarlets lineout. A period of pressure follows with all Scarlets players involved, led by the forwards. The ball eventually gets to Adam Warren, who weaves his way through Ulster players in their own 22 and crosses for yet another try for this youngster. The conversion is missed and it’s now 21-14 with eight minutes to go.

Dan Newton and Aaron Shingler come on for Aled Thomas and Dom Day. This is a strong finish from the Scarlets, with a powerful rolling maul that just drives them back and back, in the end they are penalised. On the 10 metre line, out on the right flank, Dan Newton’s kick just falls over the crossbar and it’s 24-14. Simon Gardiner comes on for Rhys Thomas. From the restart the Scarlets are penalised just inside their own half. Humphries’ kick is over and it’s back to a seven point difference, 24-17, with the clock almost on the eighty minutes.

That’s how it ends, a hard fought victory but well deserved. Scarlets 24 Ulster 17

Scarlets will now focus on the Welsh derby against the Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium next weekend; Saturday 5th November KO 6.30pm.