With the game four minutes into stoppage time, wing Ellis Mee raced in from 50 metres to produce a sensational match-winning try in a gripping BKT United Rugby Championship clash against Ulster at Parc y Scarlets.
The Wales international received a stunning long pass from Sam Costelow on halfway and with plenty still to do turned on the afterburners to beat two despairing defenders and dive over to send the home faithful into raptures as Scarlets clinched a 27-22 victory against the league high-flyers.
It was an incredible comeback from the Scarlets, who looked down and out on their own line with the clock in the red.
But they found a way, aided by a Fletcher Anderson burst upfield and a high challenge on Tom Rogers, to set up territory in the Ulster half before Mee’s moment of magic.
Before that Scarlets had spent long periods relying on their defensive resolve to keep them in the contest.
The second period was spent largely in the home 22, but the West Walians stuck in there with outstanding skipper Josh Macleod to the fore.
Ulster, who had gone into the game in third place in the table, will rue a couple of TMO decisions that went against them when they thought they had scored, but Scarlets’ never-say-die attitude shone through.
Going into the match, director of rugby Nigel Davies had urged the side to be brave and they certainly answered that call.
With all nine Wales Six Nations squad members in the run-on side, they started impressively and with a swirling wind in their favour, were on the front foot early.
Eddie James, after leading the team out in his 50th appearance, set the tone with a thunderous hit on Ulster full-back Michael Lowry.
Sam Costelow put the home side ahead with a penalty from straight in front, then Scarlets struck for the game’s opening try.
Strong work from a line-out drive took play deep into Ulster territory, the forwards carried forward and when the ball was shifted wide, Blair Murray hit a lovely angle to cross unopposed. Costelow’s conversion made it 10-0.
However, Ulster then took a grip on territory and possession, capitalising on home ill-discipline.
Hooker Tom Stewart crossed from a close-range line-out drive on 20 minutes, then Ulster went ahead with a second from close range, the officials adjudging that No. 8 Bryn Ward had done enough to reach over. Nathan Doak’s conversion made it 12-10.
But back came the Scarlets, After Ulster failed to deal with a swirling kick from Costelow, the home side were given prime attacking real estate. From the scrum, the home backs put the ball wide and eventually, following a short penalty move, it was Macleod who dabbed down from inches out. Costelow nailed another conversion to make it 17-12 at the break.
Ulster had a try chalked off for a forward pass on 50 minutes after Scarlets had done well to scramble back from a midfield interception and another when flanker Dave McCann fumbled the ball over the line following a kick chase.
The drama continued. After a string of penalties against the Scarlets, Taine Plumtree was shown yellow and Ulster’s pressure eventually brought a score for Scott Wilson, Doak’s conversion made it 19-17 with 12 minutes remaining.
Costelow continued his immaculate afternoon with the boot to put the Scarlets briefly back in front with a 72nd-minute penalty before Doak restored Ulster’s advantage four minutes later.
Then, with time against them, Scarlets found a way upfield.
Anderson powered through only for replacement Johnny Williams to be hauled down just short and when Ulster cleared their lines they thought the game was theirs.
But the officials went back for a high hit on Rogers by Werner Kok (who was shown yellow), Costelow kicked into Ulster territory and from the line-out, Costelow put Mee racing away to the line.
Costelow’s conversion provided the polish to lift the West Walians off the foot of the URC table.
Scarlets – tries: B. Murray, J. Macleod, E. Mee. Cons: S. Costelow (3). Pens: Costelow (2)
Ulster – tries: T. Stewart, B. Ward, C. Irvine. Cons: N. Doak (2). Pen: Doak
Scarlets – B. Murray (repl M. Page 49); T. Rogers, E. James, J. Hawkins (repl J. Williams 56), E. Mee; S. Costelow, A. Hughes (repl D. Blacker 61); A. Hepburn (repl J. Morse 69), R. Elias (repl M. van der Merwe 56), A. Holz (repl H. Thomas 69), H. Cuckson (repl J. Price 56), S. Louis, T. Plumtree (repl J. Taylor 76), J. Macleod (capt), F. Anderson.
Yellow cards: Plumtree (65), Kok (82)
Referee: Griffin Colby (SA)
Attendance: 6,695