In a dramatic and hard-fought match that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Scarlets managed to secure a crucial victory against Ulster with a final score of 27-22 in the United Rugby Championship. And here’s where it gets truly exciting—the match’s defining moment came very late, with Ellis Mee stunning everyone by scoring a spectacular try in the 83rd minute, breaking Ulster’s winning streak and finally lifting the Scarlets off the bottom of the table. This victory was especially significant because the Scarlets hadn't beaten Ulster since November 2018, making this win a long-overdue relief for the Welsh side.
The game started with an electric atmosphere in Llanelli, fueled by an early show of determination from the Scarlets. In the very first minutes, winger Eddie James delivered a powerful, crunching tackle on Ulster’s Mike Lowry, signaling the team’s aggressive intent. Their opening try came from a well-executed driving maul during their first significant attack—this move drew in the Ulster defenders, creating an opening that Blair Murray seized to sprint over the try line, giving Scarlets an early lead.
Ulster responded fiercely, pushing back with relentless energy. By 20 minutes, their efforts bore fruit as Tom Stewart managed to break away from the pack and dot down, bringing the game to 7-5 in their favor, after Ulster's successful conversion. Not long after, Bryn Ward scored a similar try, this time thanks to a clever offload and a slicing run through the defensive line, putting Ulster ahead 12-7 at halftime.
Despite the setback, the Scarlets bounced back just before the break through a determined effort from Macleod, who powered over from a close-range tap penalty, giving his team a 17-12 advantage going into the second half. However, the second half was largely dominated by Ulster, who kept the pressure high and aimed to extend their lead.
Ulster's attacking opportunities were nearly doubled with tries from Jake Flannery and David McCann, but both were ultimately disallowed—first for a knock-on and then for a forward pass—adding some frustration for the Irish team. Furthermore, Scarlets faced setbacks of their own when key player Murray suffered an injury, which raised concerns about his involvement in upcoming matches, including previews for the Six Nations.
The game took a turn when Taine Plumtree received a yellow card for accumulating penalties, reducing the Scarlets to 14 players for 10 critical minutes. This period saw Ulster claw their way back onto the scoreboard, with Scott Wilson finally breaking through the resilient home defense to touch down, narrowing the score to 22-17 with less than ten minutes remaining.
As tension mounted and the clock ticked down, the Scarlets’ resilience shone through. Costelow kicked a precise 40-meter penalty into the blustery Llanelli wind, bringing the score to within a point. Ulster’s last-minute efforts looked promising until Nathan Doak responded with a penalty, putting Ulster ahead once again.
But the most captivating moment was yet to come. Johnny Williams made a remarkable break through the Ulster defense, igniting the crowd’s enthusiasm. As the game seemed to be slipping away, a high tackle was called against Werner Kok, who was yellow-carded, giving Scarlets a crucial advantage. The final play saw Costelow send a perfectly weighted pass out wide to Ellis Mee. The winger evaded the last defender and sprinted 50 meters to dive over the line just as the clock hit zero, sealing a memorable victory amid a wild celebration.
This win marked only the third for the Scarlets this season, but it was enough to move them up to 15th place, overtaking Zebre. Meanwhile, Ulster remains fourth in the standings, still chasing the top spots.
From the opening moments, the game showcased intense physicality and strategic battles. Scarlets’ aggressive start was a clear statement of their intent, and while Ulster responded strongly, the home team’s resilience and last-minute heroics made this match unforgettable.
The refereeing team was led by South Africa's Griffin Colby, with assistance from Welsh officials Ben Whitehouse and Carwyn Sion, and South Africa’s Marius Jonker overseeing the Television Match Official (TMO). Notably, both Taine Plumtree and Werner Kok received yellow cards during the game, which added extra layers of drama to the intense contest.
Now, the question remains—does this victory signal a turning point for the Scarlets, or was it just a fortunate stroke fueled by guts and determination? And for Ulster, how will they bounce back after missing the chance for a ninth consecutive win against their Welsh rivals? The rugby world eagerly awaits the next chapter of this thrilling rivalry—what are your thoughts on these developments? Are you convinced that the Scarlets’ late heroics can be the start of a new winning streak, or do you believe Ulster will still dominate in future encounters? Share your opinions below!
