Ulster are hit by Scarlets cyclone

Scarlets 32 Ulster 8: Ulster got hit by the same Scarlet whirlwind that robbed Leinster of their 16-match unbeaten home run the previous weekend as their Celtic League difficulties continued at Stradey Park.

Despite the return of Ireland World Cup squad members Isaac Boss, Paddy Wallace and Bryan Young at the start, and then Rory Best for the second half, Ulster slumped to their third successive league defeat to remain rooted to the bottom of the table.

Ulster conceded 76 per cent of the territory at Stradey Park and 56 per cent of the possession in a first half in which the home side conjured up three tries.

Ulster took the lead with a 12th-minute penalty from Wallace after Vernon Cooper had been caught not rolling away in the tackle.

But after Rhys Priestland levelled the scores on 16 minutes with a penalty, it became almost one-way traffic. A long, cut-out pass by Priestland sent Matthew Watkins racing clear on the overlap for his league-record 29th try, overtaking Leinster's Denis Hickie - and then Tommy Bowe's break-out score was quickly eclipsed as backrow Jon Edwards raced clear.

And moments after Ulster's Neil McMillan was sent to the sinbin for not rolling away in the tackle the Scarlets' pack drove prop Deacon Manu over.

The red raiders bagged another try, and their fourth bonus point of the season, just before McMillan re-emerged 10 minutes into the second half. After the Ulster defence had been stretched to the limit for five minutes, Wales wing Mark Jones eased his way past Young in the shadow of the posts to cross for a try that Priestland again converted.

The only other points came from another Priestland penalty.

Scorers: Scarlets: Tries: M Watkins, J Edwards, D Manu, M Jones; Cons: R Priestland 3; Pens: R Priestland 2.

Ulster: Try: T Bowe; Pen: P Wallace.

SCARLETS: M Stoddart; N Brew, R King, G Evans, M Watkins; R Priestland, L Davies; I Thomas, K Owens, D Manu, V Cooper, A Eustace, J Bater (capt), J Edwards, N Thomas. Replacements: M Jones for Brew (31 mins); B Douglas for Manu, D Jones for N Thomas (both 64 mins); C Thomas for Stoddart, G Cattle for Davies (both 75 mins)

ULSTER: B Cunningham; M Bartholomeusz, T Bowe, S Mallon, S Danielli; P Wallace, I Boss (capt); B Young, N Brady, T Court, J Harrison, C Del Fava, M McCullough, N McMillan, S Ferris. Replacements: R Best for Brady (41 mins); J Fitzpatrick for Court, R Wilson for Ferris (both 49 mins); N O'Connor for Mallon (56 mins); T Barker for Del Fava (64 mins); M McCrea for Danielli (69 mins)

Sinbinned: N McMillan (39 mins).

Referee: M Changleng (Scotland)

© 2007 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times