Ulster left Wales empty-handed despite scoring the game's opening try as Scarlets put in a strong second half performance that yielded four tries and a bonus point.
Centre Stuart McCloskey gave Ulster a dream start at Parc y Scarlets with a try after just two minutes. Scarlets outhalf Dan Jones tried to release winger Corey Baldwin with a cross field kick but Tommy Bowe leapt highest to catch the ball and launch a counter attack. The Irish winger showed he’s lost none of his pace by outstripping the defence before popping the ball inside to McCloskey, who dummied the last defender to dart over. Scrumhalf John Cooney converted to give his side a 0-7 lead.
Jones opened Scarlets’ account on nine minutes after Ulster kept the Welsh side out following numerous phases in the 22 but McCloskey failed to release in the tackle and the home outhalf slotted over the easy kick from in front of the posts.
Nick Timoney had a try disallowed on 30 minutes. McCloskey burst through a gap and the openside was on his shoulder and had the speed to sprint under the posts. However, referee Ian Davies, in consultation with the TMO, chalked the score off as they ruled Tommy Bowe had obstructed Scarlets scrumhalf Jonathan Evans in the build up.
With scoring opportunities at a premium, Ulster went into the interval with a narrow 7-3 lead.
The defending champions got their first try four minutes after the restart; Tadgh Beirne made the hard yards in the Ulster 22 before the ball was spun wide for centre Paul Asquith put winger Ioan Nicholas over in the corner. Jones converted from a tight angle.
The Scarlets gifted Ulster three points when flanker James Davies was caught offside in front of his own posts and Cooney landed the easy kick to level the scores at 10-10.
Ryan Conbeer, on his PRO14 debut, increased the Scarlets lead with a great solo try on 58 minutes. The teenager showed great speed and footwork to beat four Ulster defenders and dash under the posts, with Jones adding the conversion.
Paul Asquith got the home side’s third try on 64 minutes when Beirne again made a powerful carry before the ball was released to the backs and Jones put a kick behind the defence for the Australian 7s specialist to catch and touch down. Jones added the extras.
Nicholas had a try ruled out from the restart for a knock on in the build up, but the Scarlets got their bonus point three minutes from full time when Man of the Match Beirne stripped Timoney at the base of a scrum to roll over for a fourth converted try.
Scarlets (15-9): T Williams; C Baldwin, P Asquith, Steff Hughes, I Nicholas; D Jones, J Evans;
(1-8): D Evans, R Elias, W Kruger, S Cummins, D Bulring, T Beirne, J Davies, J Macleod.
Replacements: E Phillips for Elias (72 mins), P Price for D Evans (48 mins), S Gardiner for Kruger (67 mins), L Rawlins, W Boyde for Davies (55 mins), D Smith for J Evans (72 mins), I Hughes, R Conbeer for Baldwin (51 mins).
Ulster (15-9): L Ludik; A Trimble, L Marshall, S McCloskey, T Bowe; J McPhillips, J Cooney;
(1-8): A Warwick, J Andrew, W Herbst, A O'Connor, K Treadwell, M Rea, N Timoney, J Deysel,
Replacements: R Herring for Andrew (51 mins), K McCall for Warwick (51 mins), R Ah You for Herbst (61 mins), M Dalton for Rea (66 mins), C Henry for Deysel (44 mins), P Marshall for Cooney (73 mins), P Nelson for Trimble (64 mins), D Cave, for L Marshall (66 mins).
Referee: I Davies (WRU)
Centre Stuart McCloskey gave Ulster a dream start at Parc y Scarlets with a try after just two minutes. Scarlets outhalf Dan Jones tried to release winger Corey Baldwin with a cross field kick but Tommy Bowe leapt highest to catch the ball and launch a counter attack. The Irish winger showed he’s lost none of his pace by outstripping the defence before popping the ball inside to McCloskey, who dummied the last defender to dart over. Scrumhalf John Cooney converted to give his side a 0-7 lead.
Jones opened Scarlets’ account on nine minutes after Ulster kept the Welsh side out following numerous phases in the 22 but McCloskey failed to release in the tackle and the home outhalf slotted over the easy kick from in front of the posts.
Nick Timoney had a try disallowed on 30 minutes. McCloskey burst through a gap and the openside was on his shoulder and had the speed to sprint under the posts. However, referee Ian Davies, in consultation with the TMO, chalked the score off as they ruled Tommy Bowe had obstructed Scarlets scrumhalf Jonathan Evans in the build up.
With scoring opportunities at a premium, Ulster went into the interval with a narrow 7-3 lead.
The defending champions got their first try four minutes after the restart; Tadgh Beirne made the hard yards in the Ulster 22 before the ball was spun wide for centre Paul Asquith put winger Ioan Nicholas over in the corner. Jones converted from a tight angle.
The Scarlets gifted Ulster three points when flanker James Davies was caught offside in front of his own posts and Cooney landed the easy kick to level the scores at 10-10.
Ryan Conbeer, on his PRO14 debut, increased the Scarlets lead with a great solo try on 58 minutes. The teenager showed great speed and footwork to beat four Ulster defenders and dash under the posts, with Jones adding the conversion.
Paul Asquith got the home side’s third try on 64 minutes when Beirne again made a powerful carry before the ball was released to the backs and Jones put a kick behind the defence for the Australian 7s specialist to catch and touch down. Jones added the extras.
Nicholas had a try ruled out from the restart for a knock on in the build up, but the Scarlets got their bonus point three minutes from full time when Man of the Match Beirne stripped Timoney at the base of a scrum to roll over for a fourth converted try.
Scarlets (15-9): T Williams; C Baldwin, P Asquith, Steff Hughes, I Nicholas; D Jones, J Evans;
(1-8): D Evans, R Elias, W Kruger, S Cummins, D Bulring, T Beirne, J Davies, J Macleod.
Replacements: E Phillips for Elias (72 mins), P Price for D Evans (48 mins), S Gardiner for Kruger (67 mins), L Rawlins, W Boyde for Davies (55 mins), D Smith for J Evans (72 mins), I Hughes, R Conbeer for Baldwin (51 mins).
Ulster (15-9): L Ludik; A Trimble, L Marshall, S McCloskey, T Bowe; J McPhillips, J Cooney;
(1-8): A Warwick, J Andrew, W Herbst, A O'Connor, K Treadwell, M Rea, N Timoney, J Deysel,
Replacements: R Herring for Andrew (51 mins), K McCall for Warwick (51 mins), R Ah You for Herbst (61 mins), M Dalton for Rea (66 mins), C Henry for Deysel (44 mins), P Marshall for Cooney (73 mins), P Nelson for Trimble (64 mins), D Cave, for L Marshall (66 mins).
Referee: I Davies (WRU)