Scarlets boost PRO12 play-off hopes with 21-20 win over Ulster

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Highlights of Scarlets' 21-20 win at Ulster on Sunday

The Scarlets boosted their Guinness PRO12 play-off hopes by sealing a rare league double over Ulster with an exciting 21-20 victory at the Kingspan Stadium.

In doing so, they traded places with their hosts in the table, with Scarlets moving up to third above Ulster, who were beaten at home for just the second time this season.

Two first-half tries from Scarlets full-back Michael Collins helped the Welsh side take the hugely valuable win, with fly-half Aled Thomas adding a conversion and three penalties.

Scarlets' Aled Thomas scored vital points in the win at Ulster

A great line break from skipper Hadleigh Parkes led to an early try for the visitors, with the centre drawing Stuart Olding to put full-back Collins over on the left after just four minutes.

Thomas was wide with the difficult conversion but the visitors stretched their lead in the 14th minute when he nailed a penalty.

Paddy Jackson pulled a drop goal back after a Jacob Stockdale burst and then Craig Gilroy struck from Luke Marshall's loopy pass, with the winger setting off from his own half before chipping Collins and regathering the ball to score a superb try in the right corner to level the scores.

Ulster centre Luke Marshall beat three on his way to the try-line

Jackson hit a brilliant conversion to put Ulster in front for the first time, but their lead only lasted three minutes as the Scarlets came straight back down the field with Collins again crossing out on the left.

Thomas then emulated Jackson with an excellently struck conversion from the touchline and the Scarlets led 15-10.

Then with four minutes of the half remaining the Marshalls combined - Paul sensed a mismatch at the side of a ruck and burst through to feed Luke who, with a lot of work to do, beat three defenders to make the right corner.

Craig Gilroy scored a brilliant try for Ulster

That tied it up and Jackson nailed a superb conversion from the right touchline to nudge Ulster in front again at 17-15.

Thomas missed a penalty shot just before the break but made amends six minutes after the restart and that 18-17 lead became 21-17 when Thomas slotted another penalty two minutes later after Chris Henry was yellow-carded for killing the ball.

Ulster managed to avoid conceding any further points during Henry's absence and closed the Scarlets' lead to a point with a 63rd-minute penalty from Jackson.

Surprisingly, neither side scored again and the Welsh region left the Kingspan with a vital four points.