PRO12: Scarlets 17 Ulster 9

Ulster slumped to a disappointing 17 – 9 defeat at Parc y Scarlets last night in a wet and windy outing in Llanelli.

The visitors points came from the boot of Ruan Pienaar and in truth Ulster could have played till this morning and never looked likely to score a try.

The first half was a dreadful affair despite a bright enough start from Ulster which saw Anscombe’s men take an 8th minute lead through a Pienaar penalty. Unfortunately that was it for our boys as they invited on wave after wave of Scarlets attack. Ulster’s defence was well organised and generally sound but it lacked any disruptive aggression allowing the home side to send in the troops time and time again.

Ulster’s big names had gone into hiding, Pienaar and Payne both having off days, and the Scarlets drew level with a 23rd minute penalty from Steve Shingler. With Ulster continually kicking away possession the inevitable try came from a driving maul as the workmanlike Scarlets pack powered over (as the Ulster back row stood . . .