Ulster secured their first away win since New Year's Day and what a crucial victory it could be in the race for the URC play-off spots.
They were made to work all the way as the Scarlets started the brightest in the heat at Parc y Scarlets.
But the hosts' discipline cost them as the half wore on and they were fortunate to go into the break with a three-point lead as Ulster regrouped.
Stuart McCloskey changed that three minutes into the second half as he bagged his first URC try of the season before Nick Timoney, Dave McCann and Jacob Stockdale all crossed to secure the bonus point win.
Steven Crawford
That's all folks
Thanks for joining us this afternoon.
It's another win for Ulster and a crucial win as we move towards the business-end of the season.
KEY EVENT
F/T: Scarlets 20-31 Ulster
Ulster withstand some late pressure from the Scarlets to pick up a crucial five points on the road.
It was a perfect response from Richie Murphy's men after a slow start to strengthen their grip on the play-off places.
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Missed penalty
Nathan Doak is inches away from extending Ulster's lead as his penalty drifts wide of the post.
Ulster are almost there now.
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Ulster regain control
Ulster have managed to take the sting out of Scarlets resurgence.
They have slowed the pace as we edge towards the 80-minute mark.
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TRY!! Scarlets 20-31 Ulster
The Scarlets provide an instant response as Tomi Lewis puts the burners on to cross and score.
Sam Costelow fires over the conversion to bring the scores back to 11 points again.
We are into the final crucial 10 minutes.
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TRY!! Scarlets 13-31 Ulster
Ulster have shown their dominance again as they add a fourth try.
After another period of pressure on the Scarlets try line the ball eventually switches out wide with Jacob Stockdale picking up and crossing the line befor John Cooney fires over the conversion.
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TRY!! Scarlets 13-24 Ulster
Scarlets give themselves some hope as they bag their first try of the afternoon after some sustained pressure.
It's number 8 Carwyn Tuipulotu who reaches out to dot down before Sam Costelow slots over the extras.
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TRY!! Scarlets 6-24 Ulster
Ulster are flexing their muscles now as Dave McCann crosses from close range to score the visitors' thrid try of the day.
The Scarlets look exhausted after a bright start and Richie Murphy's men are taking full advantage.
John Cooney conversion extends their lead to 18 points now but they will want the bonus point.
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TRY!! Scarlets 6-17 Ulster
Nick Timoney bags his seventh try in the URC this season as he powers over following a five-metre scrum.
It all comes from great work by Mike Lowry, whose interception and clever kick forced the Scarlets to cross and dot the ball down in their own in-goal area.
John Cooney adds another conversion.
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TRY!! Scarlets 6-10 Ulster
Great work by John Cooney sets up a good opportunity for Ulster.
Stuart McCloskey picks up the pass before putting on the gas and crossing the line to put the visitors in front.
John Cooney adds the extras. Perfect start to the second half for Richie Murphy's side.
KEY EVENT
KICK-OFF!
The Scarlets get the second half up and running.
The first 10 minutes will be crucial for Ulster against the 14 of Scarlets.
KEY EVENT
H/T: Scarlets 6-3 Ulster
A good response from Ulster after a slow start against the Scarlets.
Unbelievably Cormac Izuchukwu is held up for a third time just before the break as the hosts try line leads a charmed life in the latter stages of the half.
Can Ulster make their two-man advantage tell at the start of the second half?
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YELLOW CARD!
The Scarlets are reduced to 13 after much deliberation from the officials.
Alan O'Sullivan's surge forward is brought to a half by Gareth Davies, but he is deemed to have tripped the Ulster forward.
The hosts will start the second half with 13 men.
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Yellow card
The Scarlets are reduced to 14 as Taine Plumtree sees yellow for batting the ball away as John Cooney looked for a quick release.
Ulster have been ramping up the pressure with Cormac Izuchukwu held up for a second time in-goal.
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Oh so close
An old-style tap penalty almost pays dividends for Ulster as Rob Herring leads the charge.
The ball is fed to Cormac Izuchukwu, but the home side does well to hold him up and win the dropout.
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PENALTY! Scarlets 6-3 Ulster
John Cooney halves the deficit almost immediately as he slots over a penalty to get Ulster up and running.
Sam Costelow was the man penalised.
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PENALTY! Scarlets 6-0 Ulster
The Scarlets double their lead as Sam Costelow slots over another penalty.
It comes after Cormac Izuchukwu is penalised for offside.
Ulster struggling for territory.
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Oh dear Billy...
Ulster's day goes from bad to worse as Billy Burns puts a promising penalty out in the in-goal area.
It's a good opportunity wasted for the visitors who have had to make an early change with James French coming on for Scottie Wilson.
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Davies pressure
Gareth Davies produces a superb breakaway scything through the Ulster defence.
His kick is slightly too long however as Mike Lowry gathers and touches down for a dropout.
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Nice routine
Ulster get themselves out of a tricky situation near their five metre line.
It's a lovely lineout routine between the returning Rob Herring and Kieran Treadwell.
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Paying the penalty
More disappointment for Ulster as Stuart McCloskey is penalised on the edge of the Scarlets' '22.
It breaks down a good opportunity for the visitors who have struggled so far.
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PENALTY! Scarlets 3-0 Ulster
Sam Costelow slots over the first points of the afternoon after Ulster are penalised.
It's Mike Lowry who is deemed to have held on to the ball after the tackle.
Scarlets rewarded for a bright start to the game.
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Bright start for hosts
Ioan Nicholas has been a key figure for the Scarlets in the opening exchanges.
Noth sides trying to find their rhythm.
KEY EVENT
KICK-OFF!
Ulster get the game underway.
It's glorious sunshine at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli
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Almost time
all set pic.twitter.com/NCiR7CVLeY
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) May 11, 2024
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How to watch the game
This afternoon's game is being broadcast live.
Click here to find out how to watch.
Steven Crawford
What they said...
We know Jared Payne and Dwayne Peel very well, and they know us well. They have had a tough season, a few jiggle arounds with their coaching staff too. If you look at their form in the past few weeks they are improving as a side.
Dan Soper - Ulster Assistant Coach
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Last time out
Ulster ran out 55-39 winners over Scarlets the last time the two sides met at Parc y Scarlets in September 2022.
John Cooney was the top scorer on the day helping himself to 32 points.
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Scarlets team
Scarlets: (15-9) Ioan Nicholas, Tomi Lewis, Johnny Williams, Eddie James, Ryan Conbeer, Sam Costelow, Gareth Davies;
(1-8) Kemsley Mathias, Ryan Elias (C), Harri O’Connor, Morgan Jones, Jac Price, Taine Plumtree, Dan Davis, Carwyn Tuipulotu.
Replacements: Shaun Evans, Wyn Jones, Sam Wainwright, Jarrod Taylor, Ben Williams, Kieran Hardy, Ioan Lloyd, Scott Williams.
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Ulster team
Ulster: (15-9) Mike Lowry, Ethan McIlroy, Will Addison, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, John Cooney;
(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Scott Wilson, Kieran Treadwell, Alan O’Connor (C), Cormac Izuchukwu, David McCann, Nick Timoney.
Replacements:Tom Stewart, Andrew Warwick, James French, Harry Sheridan, Reuben Crothers, Nathan Doak, Stewart Moore, Dave Ewers.
