Ulster victory is Nevin sent

John Andrew (left) celebrates with Andrew Trimble after scoring Ulster’s second try against Scarlets at Ravenhill. It was a poignant night as victory came on the fifth anniversary of the death of Nevin Spence, the Ulster centre who died in a farming accident in 2012

ULSTER maintained their 100 per cent PRO14 record and went top of Conference B after becoming the first side to defeat the defending champions, Scarlets, in a dramatic finish. Sub John Andrew’s 76th-minute try secured a 27-20 victory for the home side at Ravenhill after the lead had changed hands several times in the second-half. It was not all good news for the home fans though last night as it was confirmed before the game that Ulster captain Rory Best will miss six weeks with a hamstring injury The game got underway after a minute’s applause, followed by a silence, just before kick-off on the fifth anniversary of the death of former Ulster player Nevin Spence. The visitors were ahead after just three minutes through a Leigh Halfpenny penalty. That was evened out in the 18th minute when Cooney landed Ulster’s first points from the tee after a line-out infringement from the visitors. He then nudged them ahead in the 31st minute. Cooney’s third penalty quickly followed a minute later to put the home side 9-3 up. Cooney kicked another penalty in the 52nd minute to put Ulster further in front, although it was the Scarlets who hit back next with Halfpenny landing a close-range penalty after Stuart McCloskey had strayed offside. The Scarlets then broke out of their half on a rare sortie which saw Rhys Patchell put McNicholl through to dot down on 61 minutes — and Halfpenny’s conversion put them ahead for the first time since early in the first-half. Ulster were quick to respond with Sean Reidy bursting through and putting Stockdale in the corner, although Cooney failed to add the difficult extras. But, with the game really opening up, Steff Evans supplied sub Davies with a great score worked down Ulster’s right flank. Halfpenny converted and the Scarlets led 20-17. With Cooney taken off, Leali’ifano levelled the scores with a penalty on 72 minutes. Then with four minutes remaining a marvellous Tommy Bowe break saw Luke Marshall spin out a long pass for Andrew to gallop over — Leali’ifano added the conversion.