Assured effort: Ruan Pienaar
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Ulster extended their lead at the top of the RaboDirect PRO12 table after overcoming the Scarlets 47-17 with a bonus point at Ravenhill on Friday.
So emphatic was Ulster's eventual triumph in this top of the table clash, it is easy to forget just how well the Scarlets started. Indeed for large portions of the first half, the men in red were silencing Ravenhill with a textbook defensive performance.
The scoreline at the end of the game, therefore, is testament to the way in which Ulster stormed back into the game.
It was the league leaders that made the more effective start, but some inefficient work at the breakdown inflicted an early turnover.
It was the away team, however, that looked more menacing in defence, exhibiting impressive line speed in the early stage of the encounter. It wasn't long before this aggressive approach earned its reward, with Scarlets' fly-half Aled Thomas slotting over a penalty on nine minutes after Ulster number eight Nick Williams went off his feet.
Thomas nearly added to the tally on 15 minutes when the Scarlets were awarded a penalty, following poor communication within Ulster's line-out. His kick was skewed, however.
The visitors remained ascendant in this phase of the match, with their forwards achieving dominance at the breakdown. Ulster, moreover, were their own worst enemies, and squandered good possession with unforced handling errors.
Despite such profligacy, Pienaar opened the hosts' account on 22 minutes after good work by the Ulster scrum. These points seemed to inspire the league pacesetters, and the South African gave his team the lead on 33 minutes to make it 6-3.
Ulster were now securing better territory and possession as the game became less fractured. The game, nevertheless, was still very much in the balance at this stage, and possession remained intensely contested.
The Scarlets, however, needlessly handed the advantage to Ulster when Jonathan Davies surrendered a penalty for dissent. Pienaar converted to make it 9-3 to the hosts.
Ulster could not have dreamed of a better start to the second half, when Robbie Diack finished off a try thanks to a deft offload by Williams.
When Pienaar skilfully converted a penalty on 47 minutes, Ulster seemed to have the measure of the Welshmen.
That lead became unassailable on 55 minutes, when man of the match Williams touched down. Williams has emerged as a very influential signing, and the big man certainly seems unstoppable from close range.
The only blight on this entertaining match was the injury to Lions prospect, George North. Let's hope it was not as serious as it looked.
When Trimble extended the advantage on 72 minutes following a rehearsed move, the bonus point became a real possibility.
That promise was duly delivered on 75 minutes, when a cynical intervention denied Ulster lock Lewis Stevenson a certain try.
Ulster were now exhibiting superb flair, playing a brand of rugby that had echoes of their early season brilliance. And the performance was capped on 76 minutes, when venerable stalwart Neil McComb scored his first try for his province.
Scott Williams did score a deserved consolation on 80 minutes, but this was definitely Ulster's night. Five tries, some entertaining rugby, and Mark Anscombe's men will resume their European crusade next week in fine fettle.
The scorers:
For Ulster:
Tries: Diack, Williams, Trimble, Penalty, McComb
Con: Pienaar 2, Cave, Jackson 2
Pen: Pienaar 4
For Scarlets:
Tries: Turnbull, Williams
Con: Thomas
Pen: Thomas
Ulster: 15 Adam D'Arcy, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Chris Henry (c), 6 Robbie Diack, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Louis Stevenson, 3 Adam Macklin, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Niall Annett, 17 Callum Black, 18 John Afoa, 19 Neil McComb, 20 Roger Wilson, 21 Michael Heaney, 22 Paddy Wallace, 23 Ricky Andrew.
Scarlets: 15 Dan Newton, 14 George North, 13 Gareth Maule, 12 Jonathan Davies (c), 11 Kristian Phillips, 10 Aled Thomas, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 8 Rob McCusker, 7 Johnathan Edwards, 6 Josh Turnbull, 5 Richard Kelly, 4 Sione Timani, 3 Jacobie Adriaanse, 2 Emyr Phillips, 1 Phil John.
Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Deacon Manu, 19 Tomas Vallejos, 20 Craig Price, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Scott Williams, 23 Adam Warren.
Referee: Leighton Hodges
Assistant referees: Sean Gallagher (Ireland), Brian Macneice (Ireland)
Television match official: Marshall Kilgore (Ireland)
By Rory McGimpsey
Comments
makemehappy says...
@Sincero - you really have made yourself look a complete pratt with those comments. You don't even know what you said and simply chuck random anti-Welsh comments around. Now grow up and talk about rugby.
Posted 09:36 06th January 2013
melkdave says...
@Sincero
Unfortunatly,that isnt going to happen,as the club rivalies continue in the Pricipality league where Swansea/Neath still play as separate enterties,along with ,Llanelli,Cardiff and Newport.Its why ive laid out a really radical plan of action here and elsewhere.New teams not based on clubs at all,but drawing the best players from their regional clubs,and playing at different club stadia to get ground support in their region.That was the way it should have been done,and i think the only way it can be done in Wales...
Posted 00:31 06th January 2013
J_HDK says...
Can we all drop back down to Defcon 5 and just share a communal enjoyment of the oval ball?
Posted 19:30 05th January 2013
Sincero says...
Dave, I know all that, mate, and it is getting a bit old hearing all about it for a decade- but that's what the W.R.U. decided to do- so now the bed is made... surely... surely just get in and support your local region!? Then you've got the clubs playing below, just like we do in Ireland... Club, Province and Nation.
Posted 19:23 05th January 2013
melkdave says...
@Sincero
You obvisously know nothing about welsh rugby,,the sad simply fact is the vast majority of rugby supporters in Wales just dont support any of the regional teams ,but rather their local team..Theres no way on earth a Pontypool or Pontypridd supporter is going to support Ospreys,because its a club based on Swansea and Neath,great rivals of those clubs in the past,the same can be said for fans of Bridgend and Crosskeys- Ebbw Vale or Rhondda for Cardiff /Newport ect.This pattern is repeated thoughout Wales regions,and also there are vast streaches where theres no Pro12 patcipation at all of any kind ,so again fans just dont care.Ireland remember had a provincle set up already up and running ,with an established fan base,and its rivalries.Imagine if you can basing a Pro12 team on say Garryowen and Goldolphin or ST Marys and Blackrock with only their fan base,thats what the WRU tried to do.Also the comparative lack of success of the welsh clubs comparded to irish clubs hasnt really given fans of other clubs a reason to change alligence has it now.
Posted 16:20 05th January 2013
Sincero says...
(P.S. never mind big foreign signings, you can't even keep any talented Welsh players around any more... you really are an utter disgrace. And if moaning and whinging is your solution, as it has been for around 7 and a half centuries when you're up against it, while doing absolutely nothing constructive about it, then you are sunk... and through your apathy, laziness and incompetence you will be damaging the sport, especially in Italy, Scotland and here... sort it out, you utter, utter invertebrate thumb-twiddling gits)
Posted 16:09 05th January 2013
Sincero says...
Happy, you're not very bright, to put it simply for you (which is apparently necessary!). I didn't say Ulster humiliated any posters on this site- if you can't read then please don't misquote me.
Signings? You don't really make big ones in Wales anymore- the big names that came (e.g. Collins) got pissed off and left, because, although they were offered large amounts of readies to play in Wales, they played to empty houses, and expressed their distaste for the situation and cruddy atmosphere you create.
I also didn't say Ulster does not have more money to spend at the moment than the Scarlets- that's something I actually do not know. I just pondered if it were the case that the had more money, what the reasons for that might be.
Now, a simple chap like yourself might struggle to follow that line of thought, but that is simply not my problem.
Rather than moaning about getting tanked again, why not try and do what Ulster have done over the past number of years?
The difference is, though, the Ulster supporters turned out through very sparse times for years to support their team through thick and thin, in rain, hail, sleet and snow... whereas you tubby taffs sit around feeling hard-done-by and doing nothing about it.
I know you struggle, but do o try and keep up, Gwyneth.
Posted 16:05 05th January 2013
makemehappy says...
@sincero - Ulster beat the Scarlets convincingly. They didn't humiliate anyone who posts on here. You'd have to be a complete idiot to think that.
The Scarlets obviously have less money than Ulster. Look at the foreign signings. They aren't minor names.
I'm not complaining about the fairness of money allocation in the league, I'm just stating the fact that those teams with more money are likely to attract and retain better players and that that will have a profound impact upon results. That is a fact so I'm afraid that whilst you are entitled to your opinion, it is not supported by fact.
As for commenting about Ulster, I've said they are one of the best two teams in the league, so what more do you want?
As for being a miserable git - I think the world title belongs to you. Anyone who rants without substance, like you, must clearly win that award. Congratulations.
Posted 15:07 05th January 2013
Sincero says...
Wait a minute, I'm simply not having that whinge started by daffyd below: 'Oh, the Provinces have far more money than the regions, look you', and it's 'like samanthaball's Man. City'.
Firstly, Ireland and Wales each have 4 professional teams- the difference between the two situations is rugby here is one of 4 major field sports and was often 4th on that list, whereas in Wales it's your 'national sport'*, so in theory it should generate far more interest and money than it does in Ireland. The fact is you don't support your teams, and you don't actually give a toss anymore about rugby, until Wales look like they might be winning. You are doubtless the worst supporters in the world. Whining on the internet on your ample behinds as rugby dies a death around you. You miserable gits.
So no tickets sold... where else are you getting the money? Sponsorships and adverts? Of teams playing to sheep? No? The W.R.U.? Well, that's up to them, isn't it?
However, to complainUlster humiliated you last-night because of a gap in resources is so odious I'm almost speechless. Ulster have an outstanding academy and have brought an amazing array of young talent onto the scene in recent years (which is why anyone who knows anything about rugby (not you, Dave) is not in any way surprised by their meteoric rise to dominating the league and serious European heavy-weights. The foreigners they purchased were clever buys, and they managed that with the hefty restrictions placed on the Irish teams by the I.R.F.U.. Pienaar, Afoa and Williams (M.O.T.M., major earner for my bets and, might I add, Munster reject, HA!) seem to be happy to play in that environment- vocal, passionate proper rugby supporters, experienced internationals and youth with immeasurable potential.
What about instead of moaning and complaining you bring yourselves to say well done to Ulster, taffies?
*pseudo-national.
Posted 13:36 05th January 2013
rico says...
pienaar is just simply a world class player. best player in PRO12?
Posted 12:17 05th January 2013
makemehappy says...
@The_Dange - look at the squads and teams. The Scarlets don't have the platform to compete. The table doesn't show the best sides at the top at this stage. Clearly Ulster and Leinster are the best two teams and personally I'd say the Ospreys, Munster and then Glasgow follow behind them.
Posted 10:55 05th January 2013
Norm says...
On a more positive note, did not see this one yet and kids are hogging the Tivo box this morning but appears Ulster in great shape, I hope that they can keep the momentum through to the business end. Their eye is fixed on HC and going one step further than last year, but Clermont and sadly Toulon are looking good, and I dont think Leinster have played any of their rugby yet this season and they will not be going anywhere other than upward from here! Ulster I hope will continue upward as well.
Posted 10:32 05th January 2013
kybone says...
When a teams 'bubble has burst' it means that they were on an incredible winning streak, but are now losing games and falling down the table. Obviously this has not happened in Ulsters case. In fact they're walking the Pro12 at the moment.
Posted 10:24 05th January 2013
Norm says...
@ Melkdave
Lets hope not because it is another step toward the crepulence of soccer. Man City bought the premiership title for £1bn, cant remember how much it cost Chelsea, how much will Toulon pay for the HC and Pro 12?
Posted 10:20 05th January 2013
melkdave says...
@Griff60
Yep Ulsters bubble has burst,but that isnt nessasarally a bad thing.The pressure of keeping a wining streak going,eventually becomes imense.Just ask the All Blacksso losing a few games at least gets that monkey off their backs.,Ulster will do well this year as i said ,most probily Pro12 champions,but myself i dont really see anyone but Toulon atm,wining the HC,there squad atm is just fantastic.
Posted 08:50 05th January 2013
The_Dange says...
How is there no point in a top 2 clash in the middle of the season?
Posted 00:01 05th January 2013
makemehappy says...
Just no point in games such as these. A huge amount of funding going into Irish clubs compared with the Welsh. Have to say the Scarlets are badly coached - back line wasn't deep enough on several occasions that should have resulted in an overlap (at least 7 in the first half).
This competition badly needs to be analysed in terms of what the teams want and can have!
Posted 23:18 04th January 2013
griffi60 says...
@melkdave - Still think the bubbles has burst??
Posted 23:00 04th January 2013
melkdave says...
Shows just what a gap is opening now between the big irish ckubs and the rest of the Pro12 .The differance in funding is having a masive impact imo.Also confidance must be a factor ,the irish clubs know they are as good as anyone ,while i sense doughts now in welsh and scottish clubs.
Posted 22:34 04th January 2013
J_HDK says...
Ulster are Titanium at the moment. Excellent distribution and wriggling out of tackles for good offloading or ball placement. Fantastic support lines..
But.. watch those forward passes and John Afoa turning in on the scrum..They could get blown off the park by the ref one of these days.
Posted 21:51 04th January 2013