IT’S GAME JOHN
Brave Cooney holds nerve to give Ulster cause for optimism in new season
JOHN COONEY missed a late penalty but then slotted an even later one with the last kick to give Ulster victory over Scarlets in Belfast.
Scarlets looked like claiming an away win to start the Pro14 after Rhys Patchell got them off to a great start with an early try, but Cooney’s five penalties gave Ulster the win.
Last season was certainly one to forget for the northern province, and this one didn’t get off to the brightest of starts either with Scarlets taking the lead after seven minutes at Kingspan Stadium.
The 2017 champions bossed all the early possession and territory and pinned Ulster back on their own line when Patchell kicked a penalty to the corner. And after Blade Thompson’s take, his side rolled through a few tight phases before Patchell dived over in the left corner for the opening try.
Without captain Rory Best and the injured Jacob Stockdale, new Ulster coach Dan Mcfarland called upon new signing Henry Speight on the wing and also have Will Addison his debut, but it was one of last year’s troopers, Cooney, who edged his side back into the tie.
The former Connacht man kicked his first penalty after 14 minutes when Scarlets were penalised on the ground in front of their own posts, while Cooney added his second two minutes later after some bright play on the front foot forced Scarlets into the conversion of the penalty.
With Stuart Mccloskey inspirational, Ulster continued to grow into the tie and Cooney kicked his third penalty from the left 16 minutes from the break, which gave his side a 9-7 lead.
The loss of Patchell following a head knock upset Scarlets in the 49th minute, but his replacement Dan Jones kicked a penalty six minutes later when Craig Gilroy was penalised for not releasing in the tackle.
Scarlets’ lead only lasted a few minutes when Jones conceded a needless penalty at the breakdown and Cooney kicked his fourth, but just after the hour mark Chris Henry was caught off his feet and Jones added a second for a 13-12 lead.
The loss of Ed Kennedy on a yellow card for a high hit on Speight 12 minutes from time meant Scarlets were under pressure, and after they lost Dan Jones to injury and had to replace him with prop Phil Price, Cooney’s late kick gave Ulster the win.