Ulster draw takes title battle to the wire

THE Celtic League title will go down to the last day after Ulster were held to a draw by Llanelli Scarlets at Stradey Park.

Ulster now lead Leinster by two points and travel to the Ospreys next week, while Brian O’Driscoll takes his side to Edinburgh.

The visitors stormed into a 12-0 lead at Llanelli, but two tries from home prop Phil John ensured a share of the spoils in a scrappy match.

Ulster went in front as wing Tommy Bowe hacked on Isaac Boss’s kick before touching down in the corner. David Humphreys’ conversion dropped just wide as the Ulstermen took a 5-0 lead.

Ulster powered on and another try followed as wing Andrew Maxwell capitalised on Andrew Trimble’s break in midfield. Humphreys this time made sure of the conversion to seal a 12-0 lead.

A double blow befell Ulster before the break. First they lost skipper Simon Best, carried off on a stretcher with a suspected broken ankle, then outside half Humphreys was replaced by Jonny Bell after a cut on the eye. Humphreys returned later in the second half.

Llanelli took heart and replied just before the break with a try from prop Phil John, but outside half Craig Evans missed the extras.

On the resumption a magnificent drive from the Llanelli forwards, which began just inside Ulster’s half, saw them crash over the line with John claiming his second try. Craig Evans converted to level the scores.

A number of scuffles came close to marring the spectacle but there was no more scoring, even though John went close to claiming a hat-trick when he was driven over the line, but the referee decided the ball had not been grounded.

Llanelli Scarlets scorers: Tries: John 2. Cons: C Evans. Ulster scorers: Tries: Bowe, Maxwell. Cons: Humphreys.

LLANELLI SCARLETS: Byrne, M Jones, Watkins, King, G Evans, C Evans, Peel, John, Gravelle, Dunlea, Cooper, Afeaki, Louw, D Jones, Mills. Replacements: G Evans for Byrne (59), Rees for Gravelle (50), Wyatt for Louw (40).

ULSTER: Cunningham, Bowe, Trimble, Wallace, Maxwell, Humphreys, Boss, B Young, R Best, S Best, Harrison, McCullough, N Best, Ferris, Wilson. Replacements: Bell for Humphreys (35), Fitzpatrick for S Best (30), McMillan for Ferris (45).

Ref: G Hannah (SRFU).