MAGNERS LEAGUE/Scarlets 25 Ulster 8:PADDY WALLACE boosted his Ireland credentials with a consolation try in Ulster's crushing defeat by the Scarlets last night.
Ireland centre Wallace, released from the national Six Nations squad along with Andrew Trimble just a week before the clash with Wales, pounced on 42 minutes in a below-par display by the Irish province, who left Llanelli empty-handed.
Ulster trailed 15-0 in a bleak opening half hour of action following tries for the home side through wing Andrew Fenby and scrumhalf Tavis Knoyle. An Ian Humphreys penalty and Wallace’s second-half score provided some light relief for the Ulsterman before Rhys Priestland sealed the victory for the hosts with a solo effort in an impressive 15-point tally.
But Brian McLaughlin’s men only had themselves to blame as ill-discipline resulted in yellow cards for forwards David Pollock and Ryan Caldwell in the second half to pile on the pressure.
And the defeat is a major blow for sixth-placed Ulster’s hopes of reaching the end-of-season play-offs as the Scarlets recorded their first victory of 2010.
Ulster travelled in good spirits having won the reverse clash 41-24 in October – which sent them to the top of the Magners League table. But, since reaching those lofty heights, McLaughlin’s men have slumped into mid-table.
The visitors started on the front foot with outside centre Darren Cave making a swift midfield break inside the opening minute.
Ulster soon saw their bright start evaporate in the third minute when Joe Ajuwa, drafted in on the right wing following impressive displays for club side Llandovery in the Welsh Premiership, stormed into the visitors’ half and pushed Issac Boss aside with ease.
Nigerian-born Ajuwa was held up five metres short by Humphreys but quick service from Knoyle and slick handling between Priestland and Regan King allowed Fenby to open the scoring with a converted try for the Scarlets.
Ulster struggled for territory or possession in the early exchanges but outhalf Humphreys spurned a presentable drop-goal opportunity in the 15th minute. The miss was to prove costly at the end of the opening quarter when the Scarlets doubled their advantage.
Skipper David Lyons powered off the back of the scrum and the Australian number eight found Knoyle who fended off the weak tackling of Dan Tuohy and left wing Trimble to cross in the right corner.
Outhalf Priestland failed with the conversion but made amends on 26 minutes when his close-range penalty sealed a healthy 15-point lead in a half of total dominance for the hosts.
Priestland scored his second penalty and calmed the nerves of the home side when he sealed victory with a solo effort on the hour mark before Caldwell compounded the misery when the lock became the second Ulster player to be sent to the sin-bin with 11 minutes remaining.
SCARLETS: D Newton; J Ajuwa, R King, J Davies, A Fenby; R Priestland, T Knoyle (M Roberts 75); I Thomas (P John 68), K Owens (M Rees 49), D Manu, L Reed (R McCusker 65), D Day, J Turnbull, D Lyons (capt), R Pugh (J Edwards 70). Not used: D Evans, G Maule.
ULSTER: J Smith; T Nagusa (S Danielli 49), D Cave, P Wallace, A Trimble; I Humphreys (N O’Connor 60), I Boss; T Court (B Young 61), N Brady, B Botha, E O’Donoghue (R Diack 65), R Caldwell, D Tuohy, C Henry (capt), D Pollock (W Faloon 65, A Kyriacou 76). Not used: P Marshall. Yellow Card: Pollock 46, Caldwell 69
Referee: Peter Allan (SRU)
