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The Scarlets came out 27-22 victors against Ulster in a dramatic match in Llanelli
Ellis Mee’s dramatic last-gasp winning try sealed just the Scarlets’ fourth league win of the season as they overcame Ulster 27-22 at Parc y Scarlets.
First-half tries from Wales internationals Blair Murray and Josh Macleod put them ahead at half-time against the Irish province – who had started the day in the top four of the United Rugby Championship.
A second-half onslaught looked to be finishing with the west Walians coming out on the losing side – only for Mee’s try at the death to snatch victory.
The boot of fly-half Sam Costelow – back in the Wales squad earlier this week after missing the autumn – opened the scoring with a penalty after six minutes.
The Scarlets look a better team with Costelow pulling the strings – with that becoming apparent moments later when the fly-half put Wales full-back Murray over for the opening try.
Scores from Tom Stewart and Bryn Ward brought Ulster back level before the half-hour mark.
However, Scarlets captain Macleod crossed to give the west Walians a half-time lead.
The second-half saw the Irish province turn the screw, having two tries disallowed as they put pressure on the home side.
Ulster thought they had once again levelled the scores early in the second-half, only for Jake Flannery’s try to be chalked off for a forward pass.
Blindside Dave McCann then beat Macs Page to a cross-field kick to touch down after an hour, only for the TMO to show the Ulster back-row had spilled the ball forward before scoring.
Wales flanker Taine Plumtree picked up his fifth yellow card of the season for not rolling away with 15 minutes to go, as the pressure on the Scarlets continued to ramp up.
Eventually, the dam finally broke – with lock Charlie Irvine forcing his way over from close range to move Ulster narrowly ahead.
A nerveless kick from Costelow restored the Scarlets’ lead with nine minutes to go.
Indecision in the backfield by Mee handed Ulster the chance from the tee to take the lead five minutes from time, with Nathan Doak’s penalty on target.
However, there was still time for late drama.
A break by Fletcher Anderson after the clock had gone red nearly provided Johnny Williams with a match-winning try, only for the Wales centre to be caught as he raced into the 22.
That seemed to be the match, only for a high tackle by Ulster wing Werner Kok to be picked up – resulting in a yellow card and one last chance for the Scarlets.
From the lineout, the Scarlets spread the ball wide – with Costelow’s long pass giving Wales wing Mee the space to cut through Ulster from 50 metres out to score a dramatic winning try.
