Ulster off the mark at last

Ulster got off the mark in Pool Four with a 26-16 success at Ravenhill, making sure the Scarlets' Heineken Cup woes continued in the process.

The in-form Magners League outfit opened up a lead thanks to first-half tries from Darren Cave and Scotland international Simon Danielli.

David Pollock then crossed in the 63rd minute, while Ian Humphreys slotted over one conversion attempt and three penalties.

The visitors scored late on through Ceiron Thomas but once again they came off second best, leaving them with just one point to their name in the group.

Must-win

Having been humbled at home by Harlequins and then stuffed by Stade Francais, the Scarlets knew only a bonus-point win on their travels would give them any hope of reaching the quarter-finals.

They could at least call on the memories of a win at Ulster's home on the opening day of their league campaign.

However, any chance of a repeat result disappeared when the hosts breached their defensive line twice in the space of nine first-half minutes.

With the score locked at 3-3 following penalties from Humphreys and Stephen Jones, Ulster found a way through with a well-worked move from a scrum.

Deep inside their opponents' territory, a clever chip over the top from fly-half Humphreys fell nicely for centre Cave to collect and finish.

The conversion was added although Jones narrowed the lead after Ulster were penalised at a ruck but.

Scotland international Danielli then provided a rare moment of class in an otherwise laboured half, dancing his way through the defensive ranks before diving over in the left corner.

Late penalty

Although they were camped out in the away side's territory Ulster only managed a late penalty towards the end of the opening half, Pollock coming closest to scoring again when he was held up just short by Mark Jones.

The flanker was not to be denied after the interval though, replacement Issac Boss setting him up following a turnover.

By then Ulster had already added three more points from the boot of Humphreys, the number 10 slotting over from 50 metres out.

Until the closing minutes the Scarlets had only managed three successful shots at goal from Jones, though he had also missed a 56th-minute attempt.

They did finally get a try shortly before the final whistle, getting a break from the officials as Ceiron Thomas' effort seemingly came from a forward pass. It was the only highlight from another miserable European outing.