Ulster 9 Llanelli Scarlets 16:Llanelli Scarlets opened their Magners League campaign with a well-earned win in appalling conditions at Ravenhill, giving new coach Nigel Davies the perfect start as the Welsh side bid to put last season's disappointment behind them.

Stephen Jones produced an eye-catching all-round performance with his accurate place kicking keeping the Scarlets' effort going home.

Ulster, with new signing Brendon Botha on show, could not find their way into the game and coach Matt Williams may have another tough season ahead as his charges had to settle for a losing bonus point.

Playing with the wind and driving rain in their faces, Scarlets adapted quickly with some close-in passing between forwards and backs punching holes in Ulster's defence.

After only three minutes, Stephen Jones put his side ahead with a penalty. Six minutes later, Clinton Schifcofske was wide with an attempt to get Ulster on the scoreboard.

Llanelli further exposed the home side's defence out wide when winger Darren Daniel easily skinned Andrew Trimble to make the line after the Scarlets had run turnover ball back at Ulster.

Jones added the extras and the visitors were 10-0 up after 21 minutes.

Ulster hit back with two long-range Schifcofske penalties narrowing the gap to four points, though the new Ulster fullback was wide with another attempt.

The former Queensland Reds full back was then just short with his fifth attempt, this time from 52 metres, before an injury-time strike narrowed the Scarlets' lead to one point at the turnaround.

Jones struck his second penalty three minutes after the restart and was strangely profligate with a further chance two minutes later when the ball rebounded off the left upright.

He made up for it two minutes before the hour with his third penalty putting the Scarlets ahead 16-9.