Ulster’s bid to leap above Leinster at the head of the Magners League came unstuck at Stradey Park where they were beaten 17-11 by the Scarlets.

In doing so the Scarlets also ended a run of five straight Magners League defeats. But Ulster left west Wales with a bonus point thanks to Andrew Trimble’s try and two David Humphreys penalties.

The Scarlets grabbed the first points through the boot of Ceiron Thomas. Though Ulster began to dominate they suffered the loss of Isaac Boss to injury in the first quarter.

Ulster twice had opportunities to take the lead only for Paul Shields to drop the ball and miss a pass. This was compounded by Thomas’s second penalty on the half-hour.

Humphreys landed his first three-pointer before half-time, negated by Thomas’s third success. But Ulster scored the first try through Trimble’s long-range effort.

Humphreys gave Ulster the lead 12 minutes into the second half. But Barry Davies’s try, and Thomas’s fourth penalty, ensured that the Scarlets took the win.