[tag=image]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/e ... go.svg.png[/tag][tag=content]Ulster produced a strong second half comeback to defeat the Scarlets 25-20 at the Kingspan Stadium in Friday night’s Guinness Pro12 clash.
Neil Doak saw his side fall 13-6 behind at the break due to a John Barclay try, but after the restart scores from Craig Gilroy, Luke Marshall and Ruan Pienaar made sure of the victory for the hosts.
Kristian Phillips’ late try rescued a losing bonus point for Wayne Pivac and the Scarlets, but Ulster will be disappointed that they didn’t get a try bonus point considering the territory and possession they had in the second period.
The first half was about as forgettable as they get with the majority of the play taking place in the midfield, with the visitors, despite their poor away record, controlling most of the game.
It was they who took the lead in the 13th minute through Steven Shingler’s first successful penalty, however that advantage was quickly negated when Ruan Pienaar replied a few minutes later.
After half an hour, the two kickers traded penalties once more to bring the score to 6-6, with Shingler also passing up another opportunity to put the Welsh side ahead.
Neither side looked like coming close to getting a try, therefore it was no surprise that it took an interception from John Barclay to get the first five-pointer registered in the match.
Ian Humphreys was guilty of throwing an offload that was never on and Barclay had the simplest of tasks to saunter under the posts just before half-time to give the away team a 13-6 advantage at the break.
It was a completely different story after the restart however, as Ulster stunned their visitors with a twenty minute three-try salvo to seize the momentum.
First Craig Gilroy scored a remarkable solo try, evading hapless Scarlets defenders left and right before diving over in the corner for the score of the night.
Luke Marshall followed him over a few minutes later, finding the gap in the red wall of defence from a few metres out with Ken Owens’ protests of an obstruction falling upon deaf ears.
And the third try came just several minutes later, and as the dominant Ulster scrum barrelled towards the line Nick Williams took everyone by surprise by flicking the ball to Ruan Pienaar who strolled over to make it 25-13.
The Scarlets were completely rocked by this incredible turn in fortunes, however the hosts could not capitalise on their momentum to get the fourth try that would give them the extra league point and take them top.
Craig Gilroy was an ever potent threat on the wing and at one point it looked like an Ulster maul would stroll over from close range to seal the fifth league point, but the Scarlets’ defence held firm.
It then fell to substitute Kristian Phillips to run in a last minute try to rescue a losing bonus point for the Scarlets, however it was too little too late for the men from Llanelli.
The scorers
For Ulster
Tries: Gilroy, L Marshall, Pienaar
Cons: Pienaar (2)
Pens: Pienaar (2)
For Scarlets
Tries: Barclay, Phillips
Cons: Shingler (2)
Pens: Shingler (2)
ULSTER RUGBY
(15-9) Louis Ludik, Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Luke Marshall, Michael Allen (Rory Scholes 73), Ian Humphreys (Mike Stanley 73), Ruan Pienaar; (1-8) Callum Black (Andrew Warwick 68), Rob Herring, Wiehahn Herbst (Bronson Ross 63), Dan Tuohy (Lewis Stevenson 68), Franco van der Merwe, Roger Wilson, Clive Ross (Mike McComish 76), Nick Williams.
Subs not used: John Andrew, Paul Marshall.
SCARLETS
(15-9) Jordan Williams, Harry Robinson, Regan King, Hadleigh Parkes, Michael Tagicakibau (Kristian Phillips 54), Steven Shingler, Aled Davies (Gareth Davies 52); (1-8) Phil John, Ken Owens, Peter Edwards, George Earle (Jack Payne 70), Lewis Rawlins, Aaron Shingler (Rob McCusker 40), James Davies, John Barclay.
Subs not used: Ryan Elias, Rhys Thomas, Ben Leung, Adam Warren.
Man of the Match: Roger Wilson (Ulster)
Attendance: 17,138
Referee: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)[/tag]
Match Report: Ulster Rugby 25-20 Scarlets
Moderator: Moderators
