Ulster keep Cup hopes alive

Ulster 16 - 3 Llanelli Scarlets Ravenhill   Att: 7,948 Referee: Andrew Ireland Friday 15th April 2005, 19:05

In his last home game for Ulster skipper Andy ward was in inspirational form as Ulster ground out the win that takes them into the Celtic Cup. Paul Steinmetz was the hero however scoring all 16 points, including the games only try.

Bryn Cunningham

© www.inpho.ie

Steinmetz put Ulster in front with a penalty after two minutes as the visitors were punished for not rolling away at the ruck. Llanelli were on level terms five minutes later when Ulster were caught offside in midfield and out-half Gareth Bowen slotted over the resulting penalty. Centre Steve Thomas was denied a try for the Scarlets after he went under the posts but was called back for a forward pass. A rare Ulster attack saw them regain the lead with Steinmetz´s second penalty of the game before The Scarlets then gifted Ulster three more points when full-back Barry Davies knocked on from a harmless Bryn Cunningham clearance out of defence. Llanelli engaged in backchat with the referee, and he awarded a penalty which Steinmetz scored to give Ulster a 9-3 half-time lead. Llanelli´s cause was not helped when prop John Davies was sent off six minutes after the restart for a late tackle off the ball. Aled Thomas hit the upright with a penalty after a good break out of defence by Garan Evans, and he then failed with an easier opportunity two minutes later. Steinmetz, who was conducting the Ulster back line, scored the game´s opening try with 13 minutes remaining. Ulster worked a scrum from the 22 out to the left, where they had created an overlap. Steinmetz´s pace took him clear and he had enough strength to evade a last-ditch tackle to go over. He added the conversion from a tight angle, but missed two late penalties as Llanelli lost their discipline.

Ulster V Llanelli Scarlets   P D C T Pos Player Player Pos T C D P   Bryn Cunningham 15 Barry Davies Tommy Bowe 14 Garan Evans Kevin Maggs 13 Tal Selley 3 1 1 Paul Steinmetz 12 Steve Thomas Scott Young 11 Lee Byrne Paddy Wallace 10 Gareth Bowen 1 Kieran Campbell 9 Mike Phillips Simon Best 1 Phil John Paul Shields 2 Matthew Rees Rod Moore 3 John Davies Gary Longwell 4 Vernon Cooper Matt McCullough 5 Adam Jones Andy Ward 6 Jon Mills Gavin Pfister 7 Simon Easterby Roger Wilson 8 Andy Powell Replacements Rory Best 16 Ricky Davies Ronan McCormack 17 Aled Gravelle Rowan Frost 18 Chris Wyatt Campbell Feather 19 Ian Boobyer Neil Doak 20 Dwayne Peel Adam Larkin 21 Aled Thomas Andrew Maxwell 22 Ifan Evans Penalty Tries 0 0

All Pictures: ©  http://www.inpho.ie/, Huw Evans Agency,  Martin Stuart