Scarlets left to focus on PRO14 after fourth loss
THE Scarlets sank beneath the European waves, with a fourth consecutive loss in Pool 4 confirming the Welsh region’s Champions Cup fate for the season.
Wayne Pivac’s side had reached the semi-finals last term, playing a brand of rugby that earned them admirers across the competition.
But they haven’t looked like repeating the trick and were under the cosh for long periods against a physical Ulster side at the Kingspan Stadium.
There were game tackling efforts from Lewis Rawlins, Will Boyde and Jake Ball, but the Welsh team struggled for territory and possession and played virtually the entire match on the back foot.
It says much for their courage that they were only eight points behind just past the hour mark.
But Ulster pulled away in the final quarter to repeat their bonus-point victory in Llanelli a week earlier.
There were two home tries for Iain Henderson and one apiece for Jacob Stockdale and John Cooney. For the Scarlets, Jonathan Davies and Tom Prydie replied.
Henderson shone for Ulster and Stuart McCloskey made ground in midfield, but the standout performer was fly-half Billy Burns, who controlled play superbly.
The first half was hard work for the Scarlets, who turned around at the break 10-3 adrift.
Really, had it been 25-3 adrift they could have had few complaints.
They struggled to achieve even a toe-hold in Ulster territory, finding it hard to handle the conditions, with swirling rain blowing through the stadium.
Cooney kicked the hosts into a 3-0 lead after Ken Owens failed to roll away at a ruck, with the Scarlets finding it hard to cope with Ulster’s strength at close quarters.
Nor did the Welsh side kick particularly accurately.
They were under sustained pressure and when Wyn Jones was sinbinned on 29 minutes, the omens looked grim. Sure enough, a home try wasn’t long in coming, with Henderson ploughing over from short range.
The Scarlets couldn’t get going. Steff Evans ripped possession from McCloskey, only for the big centre to return the favour seconds later. It summed up the opening half for the Welsh region.
But there was a sliver of hope just before the break when they entered the home 22 for the first time and Rhys Patchell kicked a penalty.
And the Welsh club were amazingly level soon after when Gareth Davies – who had a mixed game – intercepted a pass barely five metres from his own line before dashing 60 metres and kicking infield. The ball rebounded off a post to Jonathan Davies and the centre did the rest.
Ulster were not long in replying, switching play left where Burns put in a lovely kick which Stockdale collected to cross: 15-10 to the hosts.
Tries from Henderson and Cooney gave the scoreboard a more realistic look.
To their credit, the Scarlets finally put together some phase play, with Prydie rewarding their spirit with a late touchdown.
But it was too little, too late. For the Scarlets this season is now all about the league.