RUGBY: Ulster suffer heavy defeat
A SHOCKING display from Ulster saw them suffer a heavy defeat to Scarlets in the Magners League.
As well as surrendering their unbeaten league record in 2010, the loss will put a huge dent in their aspirations to make a top four place and qualify for the Championship play-offs.
The Irish Province showed spark at the start of each half, but that was about it. Paddy Wallace went over for what was a mere consolation try.
Their cause was not aided by yellow cards at separate times for loose forward, David Pollock, and lock Ryan Caldwell, who has now become nothing but a liability to the side in spite of an outstanding display recently for the Ireland Wolfhounds.
Ulster remain in sixth place in the table, but with the leading sides all due to play today or tomorrow, they could lose valuable ground in the race for a top four place.
The win for Scarlets was a much needed boost and leaves them just two points behind the Cardiff Blues in ninth place, but are still in danger of not qualifying for the Heineken Cup as they are presently the lowest placed Welsh side in the league.
And they might rue not managing to score a bonus-point try last night..
The home side scored first with a try after just three minutes, made by a break by Nigerian-born wing Joe Ajuwa.
He went close down the right before the ball was spread left and fellow wing Andy Fenby went over unopposed.
In an entertaining first half the visitors did have their chances. Flanker Dan Tuohy had a try disallowed and then Ian Humphreys missed a drop-goal.
But it was the Scarlets, desperate to get up the Magners table, who scored a second try on 20 minutes when number eight David Lyons put scrum-half Tavis Knoyle on a 40-metre run to the line.
After that it was all Scarlets until Humphreys kicked a long-range penalty in first-half injury-time.
Ulster made their intentions known at the start of the second half, scoring a try in the first 86 seconds with Paddy Wallace crashing over after a break by Isaac Boss.
But just as the Scarlets feared a sustained Ulster comeback, Pollock was shown a yellow card for killing the ball in front of his posts, allowing Rhys Priestland to convert a penalty to give the home side a 18-8 lead.
Lions hooker Matthew Rees came on for the last half an hour to test the groin injury which has so far kept him out of Wales' RBS 6 Nations Championship campaign.
And he helped inspire his team to a try on the hour mark. It was finally scored by outside-half Priestland but that was after the forwards had softened up Ulster by going through 11 phases.
But after that the Scarlets were unable to create another chance and missed out on the bonus point.
Scarlets: Newton, Ajuwa, King, J. Davies, Fenby, Priestland,
Knoyle, I. Thomas, Owens, Manu, Reed, Day, Turnbull, Pugh,
Lyons.
Replacements: Roberts for Knoyle (75), John for I. Thomas (69),
Rees for Owens (49), McCusker for Reed (66), Edwards for Pugh (70).
Not Used: Evans, Maule.
Scorers: Tries: Fenby, Knoyle, Priestland. Cons: Priestland 2.
Pens: Priestland 2.
Ulster: Smith, Nagusa, Cave, Wallace, Trimble, Humphreys, Boss,
Court, Brady, Botha, O'Donoghue, Caldwell, Tuohy, Pollock,
Henry, Faloon.
Replacements: Danielli for Nagusa (50), O'Connor for Humphreys (62), Young for Court (62), Diack for O'Donoghue (65), Faloon for Pollock (65), Kyriacou for Faloon (75). Not Used: P. Marshall.
Ulster: Tries: Wallace. Pens: Humphreys.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
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Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
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