Both sides battled against the elements at a wet and windy Ravenhill tonight but it was Ulster who took the victory with Isaac Boss, Matt McCullough and Neil Best all touching down.

It was 38 minutes before either team managed to put points on the scoreboard as both sides waged a war of attrition throughout the first half. A penalty from the boot of Scarlets fly-half Rhys Priestland put the visitors into the lead but Ulster responded almost immediately surging over the Llanelli line to take the lead before the first half point whistle. Ulster 5 v 3 Scarlets.

An Ulster penalty from fly-half Niall O’Connor extended the Ulstermen’s lead early in the first half. Ulster continued to surge into Scarlet's territory but the place kicking of Priestland brought the ball back into Ulster’s half on a number of occasions leaving both sides battling for possession. Scarlets equalized in the 64^th minute with Priestland crossing the whitewash but failing to convert.

Man of the Match Matt McCullough reclaimed the home side’s lead in 73^rd minute putting his 5 points on the scoreboard, the Ballymena man was awarded both the Bank of Ireland (in association with the Belfast Telegraph) and Magners League / Setanta Man of the Match award for his performance.

Ulster looked set to snatch a 13-8 victory when after just 20 minutes on the pitch Neil Best touched down in injury time with O’Connor adding his two points leaving the final score Ulster 20 v Scarlets 8.  

Matt Williams was delighted with the performance,

“I was much more pleased with that performance, it was very hard, very tough and the players were courageous against a tough opposition.

You can coach tactics and you can coach skills but you can’t coach heart and courage and tonight they showed heart and courage”

Man of the Match Matt McCullough spoke about the influence that former Ulster and Ireland player Paddy Johns on the team “Paddy Johns spoke to us before the game and presented the match jerseys to us, it was moving to see how much emotion there was when he was talking about the honour of the jersey. It is a privilege to play for Ulster and recently we have all been reminded of that.”

McCullough continued to talk about the change within the squad with the arrival of the new coach,

“From a squad point of view Matt has brought with him clarity and day to day we are having great fun.  This is an exciting time for Ulster and there is no doubt that we are turning a corner”