Having led 27-15 and then 32-18 in the second half it looked as though new head coach Wayne Pivac was going to start with a big win, but instead he saw Ulster battle back into the game and make the most of Wales full back Liam Williams’ dismissal for a second yellow card offence to send Trimble over on the overlap.
Both sides scored four tries and took a try bonus point from the game. Wales scrum half Gareth Davies, leading try scorer in the Pro12 last season with 10 touchdowns, grabbed two more to spearhead the home side challenge.
The Scarlets had led 32-18 with 17 minutes left on the clock, but spearheaded by second-half replacements Trimble and powerhouse No. 8 Nick Williams, the Ulstermen came surging back to share the spoils.
A breathless opening saw three tries scored inside the first 14 minutes. Newcomer Harry Robinson, one of three new signings making their Scarlets’ debut, scored within two minutes and Rhys Priestland added the extras.
Ulster’s response was impressive and South African debutant Franco van der Merwe drove over for a score converted by Ian Humphreys to level the scores. Priestland landed a penalty straight from the restart, but back came Ulster with a second try inside four minutes – from van der Merwe’s second-row partner Dan Tuohy.
But in keeping with an electric opening 40 minutes, that only prompted the Scarlets into action. With Scotland flanker John Barclay to the fore, the home side piled on the pressure and eventually, Ulster’s defence succumbed with man of the match Rory Pitman touching down wide out.
Priestland was again on target with the extras before Ulster were denied their third try. South African full-back Louis Ludik – another on debut – thought he had crossed, but the Scarlets had felt there had been crossing in the build-up, something referee Peter Fitzgibbon eventually agreed with after a lengthy TMO review on the big screen.
Humphreys’ reduced the deficit to 17-15 with a long-range penalty, but it was the Scarlets who had the final word of a superb half of rugby. A superb interception by Wales lock Jake Ball on half-way got the ball back in Scarlets hands and he fed Davies, who galloped his way to the left corner for a try which Priestland converted to make it 24-15 at the break.
Priestland extended the lead with a penalty five minutes after the re-start after Touhy saw yellow for a late challenge on Scott Williams. But moments later it was 14 v 14 after Williams was dismissed for a deliberate knock-on.
Humphreys reduced the deficit to 27-18 with a penalty, but a great counter attack from replacement Gareth Owen saw scrum-half Davies claim his second on 62 minutes to make it 32-18 At that stage it looked as though it was going to be the perfect start for Pivac, but Ulster, semi-finalists last year, weren’t ready to throw in the towel.
Full-back Louis Ludik crossed wide out on 68 minutes and Humphreys converted to narrow the gap to just seven points. Then, with Williams off the field for a second yellow minutes before the end, Trimble was put away and Humphreys made no mistake with the conversion to share the points.
