Fourth straight loss for Ulster

Trimble: Scoring return for Ulster

The Scarlets beat Ulster 24-17 at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday, thus condemning the visitors to their fourth straight RaboDirect Pro 12 defeat.

The Welsh region scored tries through wing Liam Williams and centre Adam Warren, while wing Andrew Trimble scored for Ulster, who secured a losing bonus point with Ian Humphreys' fourth penalty.

Ulster were forced into a late change with tighthead prop Declan Fitzpatrick pulling out just before kick-off through injury.

As a result, Tom Court switched to tighthead and Paddy McAllister came off the bench to fill in at loose-head, but the visitors were boosted by the return of six of their World Cup players - Johann Muller, Ruan Pienaar, Trimble, Court, Paddy Wallace and Simon Danielli.

The Scarlets included three of their World Cup stars - Ken Owens, Tavis Knoyle and Scott Williams - though only Owens started with Matthew Rees, who missed the World Cup with a neck injury, named on the bench.

After a scrappy start on a showery afternoon, Ulster grabbed the lead on nine minutes when Humphreys slotted a penalty from the 22.

Aled Thomas missed a 17th-minute penalty from close to halfway but made amends 11 minutes later with a penalty from in front of the posts.

Upper hand

The Scarlets gradually got the upper hand with a second penalty for Thomas followed by an opportunist try for Williams, who ran in unopposed from the 22 on the stroke of half-time.

Thomas's conversion gave the Scarlets a 10-3 lead.

The Scarlets brought on Rees for his first appearance of the season just six minutes into the second half along with Knoyle.

But it was Ulster who got the first score of the half on 50 minutes. Humphreys had missed a long-range effort before putting over his second penalty from inside the 22.

The Scarlets, who were more creative in attack, got a penalty back through Thomas, but that was soon cancelled out by Humphreys's third from in front of the posts.

Ulster gradually came more into the game and scored a try in the right corner when Trimble dabbed down after Johnathan Edwards had been caught waiting for Ruan Pienaar's kick to the corner to go dead.

But in a match of fluctuating fortunes, Warren weaved his way over for his side's second try, followed up by a penalty for Dan Newton.

Two minutes later Humphreys ensured Ulster claimed a losing bonus point with his fourth penalty.