Ulster 32
Connacht 27
Ulster prevailed in a tough battle against Connacht in Kingspan Stadium - a single score denying Pete Wilkins’ side another victory in this season’s United Rugby Championship.
In a game marked by ill discipline, Connacht was the superior side, edging both the possession and territorial stakes,but they lacked the composure to take advantage against a physical and aggressive Ulster defence.
It was a close game throughout, despite the nightmare start for Connacht who found themselves seven points adrift in the opening three minutes. From a penalty, Ulster, showed their ambition when opting for touch, and they made it count. Securing the line-out, they forced their way to the line with hooker John Andrew touching down, and former Connacht scrumhalf John Cooney adding the extras.
Connacht, however, grabbed the initiative, and within minutes Shane Bolton scored a try, but the home soon replied - their maul proving effective with Jude Postlethwaite touching down to extend their lead to 12-5, Cooney’s conversion just wide of the uprights.
The momentum was all with the home side as Connacht found themselves on the back foot. A penalty at scrum-time relieved the pressure, but it was temporary as Cooney took advantage of a penalty and thwarted Mack Hansen’s attempted tackle to add another try to Ulster’s account for a 19-5 lead
Connacht, however, put some phases together before winning a 30th minute penalty inside the 22. Spurning a kick at goal, they opted for touch, and reaped the rewards. Josh Murphy secured the line-out, and from a well-worked maul and good work from Paul Boyle, Joe Joyce delivered a much-needed try - Ioane’s conversion attempt wide.
Ulster, however, continued to put Connacht’s attack under pressure, scrapping for every ball and making life difficult, particularly at the breakdown. However, before the half-time whistle, a penalty to touch provided an opportunity to close the gap, and Connacht took it.
Cian Prendergast secured the line-out, and Ben Murphy delivered the much-needed try, spotting a gap and accelerating to the line before touching down. Ioane’s conversion closed the gap to 19-17 at half-time to put Wilkins’ side back into contention.
Connacht should have added to the score immediately after the break, but on this occasion Sean O’Brien’s try was deemed held up by the TMO. And, at the other end, Ulster were similarly denied as tempers between the two sides flared.
After Hansen was penalised for ill-discipline, Ulster once again took control, and it got worse for the visitors when Josh Murphy was sin-binned. From the resulting penalty to touch, Ulster eventually scored through Dave McCann, Cooney wide with the conversion.
Connacht, having struggled against an aggressive and effective Ulster defence, eventually produced a much-needed try. Shayne Bolton's superb defensive chase delivered a Connacht line-out, and a resulting well-worked drive ensured replacement hooker Dylan Tierney Martin touched down, with Ioane adding the extras to level the match at 24-24.
Pete Wilkins’ side continued to dominate territory and possession, but were unable to add to the score - not helped by indiscipline. When Josh Murphy red carded with nine minutes remaining, it allowed Ulster to edge into a 27-24 lead with nine minutes remaining.
Still Connacht had an opportunity to take control. But in missing touch, it handed the initiative back to the hosts with Timoney scoring a controversial try four minutes from the final whistle.
In a game that was always going to the wire, Connacht had one last opportunity with a scrum penalty inside their opponents’ 22. Ioane delivered the three-points to ensure Connacht left Belfast without a win, but with two hard-earned bonus points.
Yellow cards: Ulster, Werner Kok; Connacht, Josh Murphy. Red card, Connacht, Josh Murphy.
Ulster: E McElroy, W Kok, S Moore, J Postlethwai, J Stockdale, A Morgan, J Cooney, A Warwick, J Andrew, T O’Toole, I Henderson, K Treadwell, D McCann, S Reffell, N Timoney. Replacements, J McCormick, C Reid, C Barrett, A O’Connor, M Rea, N Doak, B Carson, M Lowry.
Connacht: S Cordero, M Hansen, P O’Conor, B Aki, S Bolton, J Ioane, B Murphy, D Buckley, D Heffernan, F Bealham, J Joyce, J Murphy, C Prendergast, S O’Brien, P Boyle. Replacements, D Tierney-Martin, P Dooley, T Lassie O Dowling, D O’Connor, C Blade, C Forde, C Oliver.
Referee: Andy Brace.
