Scarlets give Ulster six-try hammering

A SIX-TRY salvo helped the Scarlets leapfrog Ulster to finish fifth in the Magners League with a convincing bonus-point victory at Parc y Scarlets.

Having already qualified for next season’s Heineken Cup with their midweek win over Cardiff Blues, a relaxed home side had little difficulty dispatching Matt Williams’ side.

A bright start by the Scarlets was rewarded with three first-half tries – the first coming after 80 seconds scored by full-back Dan Evans, who collected his own kick ahead.

A Rhys Priestland penalty was cancelled out by a well-struck drop goal from Ulster number 10 Niall O’Connor, but that was of small consolation to Ulster as they conceded two tries in the space of four minutes.

First a charging run from Dominic Day saw him squeeze over the line before Lee Williams was sent over by Martin Roberts, as the home side opened up a 22-3 lead.

A disappointing half for the visitors improved somewhat when scrum-half Paul Marshall jinked his way over from a ruck 10 metres out for a converted try, which reduced the deficit to 12 points.

Two minutes after the interval, a break by prop Iestyn Thomas was finished off by Darren Daniel to give the Scarlets the bonus point.

The Ulster cause was not helped when they lost number eight Robbie Diack to the sin-bin after 58 minutes for a professional foul.

And, with the extra man, the Scarlets celebrated with tries from scrum-half Roberts and captain David Lyons, who scrambled over from close range, before Darren Cave grabbed a consolation try for Ulster.

Scorers for Scarlets: D Evans, D Day, L Williams, D Daniel, M Roberts, D Lyons try each; R Priestland 5 cons, pen.

Scorers for Ulster: P Marshall, D Cave try each; N O’Connor con, drp gl; I Humphreys con.

SCARLETS: D Evans; D Daniel, N Reynolds, R Higgit, L Williams; R Priestland, M Roberts; I Thomas, K Owens, K Meeuws, L Reed, D Day, R McCusker, J Edwards, D Lyons (capt).

Replacements: C Thomas for Higgitt (70), G Davies for M. Roberts (77), E Phillips for Owen (77), P John for Meeuws (22), A Shingler for Reed (57), J Turnbull for McCusker (51), S Easterby for Edwards (51).

ULSTER: I Boss; T Nagusa, D Cave, I Whitten, S Danielli; N O’Connor, C Willis; B Young, N Brady (Capt), D Fitzpatrick, E O’Donoghue, R Caldwell, M McCullough, C Henry, R Diack.

Replacements: M McCrea for Danielli (64), I Humphreys for O’Connor (52), J Fitzpatrick for Young (57), N Hanna for D Fitzpatrick (69), C Del Fava for O’Donoghue (41), D Pollock for Henry (41).

Referee: N Paterson (SRU)