Scarlets 16
Ulster 13
James Candy reports from Parc y Scarlets
ULSTER LOST GROUND in the race for the Guinness PRO12 playoffs after a 16-13 defeat to the Scarlets in wet and windy West Wales conditions.
Jacob Stockdale’s first-half try and eight points from the boot of Paddy Jackson looked to have capped off a professional performance with a triumph at Parc y Scarlets.
But Sean Reidy’s high tackle on Aled Davies inches from the try-line surrendered a penalty try to hand the Welsh region an undeserved victory to put themselves seven points clear of Les Kiss’ side.
Scarlets outside-half Dan Jones fired the hosts into the lead on the 10 minute mark after the returning Rory Best went off his feet at a ruck.
The Wales Under-20 international added another three points moments later, before a devastating angle from Stuart McCloskey helped Ulster hit the front.
The Ireland centre made a half-break in between James Davies and Liam Williams and offloaded to Stockdale for the first try.
Jackson, who had landed a penalty just before the try, added the conversion and another three points to give his men a 13-6 lead at half-time.
Replacement scrum-half Aled Davies looked to have been held-up over the line, but on review he had been stopped by a Reidy high tackle, and Mitrea awarded a penalty try.
Reidy was sent to the sin-bin before Jones landed the conversion to put the hosts three-points ahead, and that was enough to claim victory.
Scarlets scorers: Penalty try (62 mins),
Conversions: D Jones (1)
Penalties: D Jones (3)
Ulster scorers:
Tries: J Stockdale (21 mins),
Conversions: P Jackson (1)
Penalties: P Jackson (2)
Scarlets: J Mcnicholl; L Williams (S Hughes 74), Jo Davies, H Parkes, S Evans; D Jones, G Davies (A Davies 40); R Evans (W Jones 69), K Owens (capt) (R Elias 69), W Kruger, J Ball, T Price, L Rawlins (W Boyde 34), Ja Davies, J Barclay.
Ulster: L Ludik; A Trimble (capt), L Marshall, S McCloskey, J Stockdale (T Bowe 74); P Jackson, P Marshall (D Shanahan 54); C Black (A Warwick 51), R Best, R Kane (J Simpson 58), K Treadwell, I Henderson, C Ross, C Henry, S Reidy.
Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)
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