Sanjay sees red as Ulster sneak back for the draw

By Helen ‘Helzbach’ Davies

The summer holidays may be over but there is as always a silver lining – the rugby’s back! Along with the usual new faces on the pitch, there’s also a new coach – New Zealander Wayne Pivac who was promoted to the role of Head Coach over the summer following Simon Easterby’s announcement that he was leaving the region to take up a new role as Forwards Coach with the Irish International team.

Obviously, a new season means a new kit too, and with Jonathan Davies leaving for French soil, a new captain too in the ever dependable Ken Owens. Add into the mix the apparent restoration of harmony in Welsh Rugby, together with solid performances in the pre-season friendlies and it certainly looks like it could be an exciting season for the Scarlet faithful.

With the sun shining in West Wales, Ulster received a warm Welsh welcome as they ran out for the first game in the newly sponsored Guinness Pro 12. The Scarlets took less than 2 minutes for new-comer Harry Robinson to stake his claim as being a firm favourite with the crowd as he chased Scott Williams’ kick to cross in the corner. Rhys Priestland successfully added the extras with a tricky touchline conversion to give the home team a 7 point to 0 lead.

Srong and secure in defence, the Scarlets were soon on the attack again stringing together a number of key passes which saw them easily cross the gain line into the Ulster half.

The visitors took full advantage of their penalty award minutes later as they tested the Scarlets defensive wall from the line out with Franco Van De Merwe crossing for Ulster’s first try of the afternooon. Ian Humphreys added the conversion to tie the score at 7 points all.

The boot of Rhys Priestland saw the Scarlets take the lead once more as he easily slotted another over to give the Scarlets a 3 point cushion – 10 points to 7. However Ulster hit back immediately with Dan Tuohy shrugging off the Scarlets tacklers to join his fellow Lock on the try scorer list. Humphreys missed with the conversion as Ulster took a 10 point to 12 lead.

A great break from John Barclay saw him slice through the Ulster defence like butter, but he was tackled just short of the line as the home team attempted to make full use of their field position.

Following a sustained period in the Ulster 22 the Scarlets worked their way through a series of passes before the TMO finally agreed that Number 8 Rory Pitman had grounded the ball before being bundled into touch. Priestland again added the conversion from the touch line to give the home team the lead once more – 17 points to 12.

Again Ulster hit back immediately, much to the disgust of the booing faithful as they easily spotted the crossing in midfield prior to the crossing of the white wash. Much deliberation followed, before the eventual decision was made…..no try!

The visitors were awarded the opportunity minutes later to increase their score as Outside Half Humphreys was offered a relatively easy kick in front of the posts. His successful kick saw the home team approach half time with a slender 2 point lead – 17 points to 15.

A storming run for Scarlets Scrum Half Gareth Davies from inside his own half saw the home team finish the half in style as he had the confidence in his own ability and pace to score the try. Priestland continued his successful touchline kicking to finish the half on a high with the Scarlets securing a 24 point to 15 lead.

The second half began with Ulster on the attack, however seemingly Pivac’s half time talk was about defence as the men in white were unable to find any space outside their own half.

The Scarlets attack continued as they took full use of their field position with a series of lovely passes seeing them inch ever closer to the white wash, until that is, they were halted by Dan Tuohy. Tuohy’s over enthusiasm in the tackle cost him a yellow card and a break in the sin bin as Priestland kept the Scarlets’ scoring tally ticking with an easy penalty to increas the lead to 27 points to 15.

However, the game reached almost farcical measures as Liam Williams joined Tuohy in the sin bin for a deliberate knock on, even though it can be strongly argued that he was attempting the tackle. Humphreys then added another penalty to keep his side in shouting distance – 27 points to 18.

Following a perioed in defense, the Scarlets took full advantage of a number of penalty decisions to put themselves in a promising field position, deep in the Uslter 22. However they came away from their visit without putting points on the board. They were soon offered another opportunity at attack with the three try scorerers so far being prominent in the move, however, substitute Gareth Owen spilled the ball forward and again the illusive bonus point try failed the home team.

The crowd were on their feet seconds later as a break from Liam Williams saw superb handling from Rory Pitman before Gareth Davies finished the move for his brace of tries. On this occasion Priestland saw his kick sail to the left of the posts as his side increased their lead to 32 points to 18.

As has been the story of the game almost, Ulster hit back immediately to score a try with Louis Ludik crossing in the corner. Humpreys added the conversion to see the Scarlets’ lead cut to just 7 points – 32 – 25 and with Ulster seemingly intent on attack, it was a lead that the home team needed to defend to ensure a perfect start to the season as they desperately defended their try line, each player putting their bodies on the line before play returned to midfield.

The Scarlets continued defending as Ulster attempted another heart breaking last gasp victory as they inched ever closer to the Scarlets try line. Unfortunately a sustained period of advantage from referee Peter Fitzgibbon along with a second yellow card for Liam Williams (which became an automatic red card) saw the game slip from the home team.

Ulster replacement Andrew Trimble made it look too easy as he not only crossed for the try, he was also able to make the conversion that little bit easier for Humprheys as the score in the dying minutes was tied at 32 points all and the Scarlets were disappointed to end the game sharing the points with the visitors.