A late Ulster try condemned the Scarlets to a heartbreaking 30-28 defeat in Belfast.
The Scarlets looked set to claim a vital victory in Belfast but Ulster captain Alan O'Connor powered over the line for a try which Nathan Doak converted with just three minutes remaining. This defeat is a hammer blow to the Scarlets' hopes of reaching the United Rugby Championship play-offs.
A nasty bug had swept through the Scarlets camp this week with numerous players having struggled with illness up to kick-off. But they threw everything at Ulster only to be denied at the death.
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The Scarlets started like a house on fire showing plenty of attacking intent. It took them just five minutes to claim the game's first try with a lovely kick over the top of the Ulster defence by veteran scrum-half Gareth Davies taken by Macs Page who showed his pace to touch down.
Lloyd added the extras and the Scarlets were soon celebrating their second try. The Scarlets spread the ball wide to find Page on the edge who burnt experienced Ireland wing Jacob Stockdale for pace on the outside before drawing in the final defender to put Ioan Nicholas over for the try.
But Ulster's pack began to gain the ascendancy with the home side's route one approaching making significant post contact metres. The Scarlets were beginning to cough up penalties and after one of those Nick Timoney powered over from short-range off the back of a well-worked driving lineout.
Jack Murphy added the extras and two further penalties to kick Ulster into the lead. But Lloyd smashed over a penalty at the stroke of half-time to give the visitors a 15-13 lead at the interval.
Murphy and Lloyd exchanged penalties early in the second-half but the majority of the game was played in the Scarlets half. Ulster's pack held the upper hand and after a period of sustained pressure Callum Reid powered over from short-range.
Just when it looked like Ulster held the upper hand Scarlets replacements Marnus van der Merwe and Fifita injected some much needed energy into the Welsh side. Ulster were on the attack when the ball spilled loose and got scooped up by Alec Hepburn.
The Scarlets prop offloaded to Fifita who ran in a try from inside his own half. Lloyd added the extras and the Scarlets went on to lay siege on the Ulster line but had to make do with just three points from the kicking tee.
But there was to be one final twist in the tale as O'Connor smashed over from short range with Doak landing the extras to claim victory for Ulster.
