Scarlets 16 Ulster 16:ULSTER WASTED the chance to claim a significant victory in Llanelli as Stephen Jones struck a late penalty to share the spoils at Parcy Scarlets and put an end to a 10-match losing run in the Heineken Cup over the last two years.
The match was all but meaningless in pool terms because the sides only had one win between them before this game — Ulster's 26-16 victory over the Scarlets in Belfast last Friday.
However, coach Matt Williams will be a frustrated man today after his team were on the verge of clinching a first win on the road in Europe since 2006 when Ian Humphreys landed a 71st minute penalty to regain a lead they thoroughly deserved.
Ulster out-scored their hosts two tries to one, after first-half scores from Humphreys and Paddy Wallace, only for a needless indiscretion at a ruck to hand Jones the leveller.
It was a cruel blow for the men from Ravenhill who looked odds on to follow up their success over Llanelli last week, in particular at half time when they led 13-3.
Ulster lost scrumhalf Cillian Willis to a fractured cheek in midweek and were soon without wing Simon Danielli who pulled up with a hamstring strain after just seven minutes last night.
The performance of his team-mates was anything but hamstrung as they dominated the home side after weathering the early pressure thanks to a resilient defence, reliable set-piece Humphreys.
The outhalf revelled behind a scrum that was ravaging their opposite numbers, thanks to anchorman BJ Botha, and after guiding a long range drop goal through the posts he scampered over for the game's opening try on 23 minutes.
Ulster's tackling, typified by telling hits by Andrew Trimble, turned defence into attack and as the Irish surged forward, Humphreys lined up on the left before darting right to receive the pass, surging past lock Vernon Cooper to score.
Llanelli were a shadow of the team that reached the semi-finals of this competition just two seasons ago and fell to pieces at Isaac Boss's speculative kick to gift Ulster a second try. Stephen Jones scuffed his clearance into the hands of Darren Cave.
Little appeared on as the centre edged in-field, but his footwork left David Lyons flat-footed and Cave had Wallace in support to step through on 32 minutes. Humphreys' conversion drifted wide but Ulster were content at the break.
A home response was inevitable and it came in the shape of Jon Davies who gave direction to Llanelli's attack, striking at the heart of Ulster defence to open space for Darren Daniel to sprint over in the corner.
Jones converted and landed a penalty to level the scores on 52 minutes. Opposite number Humphreys missed three times before finally finding his range late on, only for Jones to strike back again three minutes from time.
SCARLETS: R Priestland; D Daniel (L Williams, 55), R King, J Davies, M Jones; S Jones, M Roberts (G Cattle, 75); P John, M Rees (K Owens, 61), D Manu, V Cooper, D Day, D Jones, D Lyons (capt), S Easterby.
ULSTER: B Cunningham; A Trimble (P Steinmetz, 65), D Cave, P Wallace, S Danielli (C Schifcofske, 7); I Humphreys, I Boss; J Fitzpatrick (T Court, 55), R Best (capt), B Botha (J Fitzpatrick, 68), E O'Donoghue, R Caldwell (M McCullough, 57), S Ferris, R Diack, D Pollock (K Dawson, 65).
Referee: Romain Poite (France).
