United Rugby Championship
Scarlets (17) 27
Tries: Murray, Macleod, Lee Cons: Costelow (3) Pens: Costelow (2)
Ulster (12) 22
Tries: Stewart, Ward, Irvine, Wilson Cons: Doak (2)
Scarlets had not beaten the Irish province since November 2018, but an early score from back Blair Murray off the back of the home side’s driving maul got them off to a perfect start in Llanelli.
Ulster hit back with an equally effective drive, seeing hooker Tom Stewart barge over, before academy number eight Bryn Ward would give the visitors the lead, scoring a carbon copy.
Scarlets captain Josh Macleod, on his 100th appearance for the region, put the hosts back ahead at the break after quick thinking saw a tap penalty driven over by the home forward line in a topsy-turvy encounter.
Ulster would improve their accuracy in the second-half forcing errors from the home side, and after near misses with tries from replacements Jake Flannery and David McCann, prop Scott Wilson would find a way through a dogged defence to bundle over to put the Irish in the ascendancy.
A late penalty from fly-half Sam Costelow looked to have nicked it for Scarlets, only for his effort to be cancelled out by lock Charlie Irvine a minute later.
Ulster looked to be heading to a ninth straight victory over the west Walians, but there would be further drama at the death with Mee breaking free in the final play to sprint away to score a spectacular 50-metre try.
It was a much-needed and first win for new boss Nigel Davies, with a third win of the season for Scarlets, moving them off the foot of the table, while Ulster remain fourth.
Scarlets XV:
15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Eddie James, 12 Joe Hawkins, 11 Ellis Mee; 10 Sam Costelow, 9 Archie Hughes, 1 Kemsley Mathias, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Archer Holz, 4 Sam Lousi, 5 Harvey Cuckson, 6 Taine Plumtree, 7 Josh Macleod (captain), 8 Fletcher Anderson.
Replacements:
16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Josh Morse, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 Jac Price, 20 Jarrod Taylor, 21 Dane Blacker, 22 Johnny Williams, 23 Macs Page.
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
