Connacht 24
Ulster 29
Connacht were forced to settle for a losing bonus point when Ulster edged this BKT URC Christmas derby in Dexcom Stadium.
Richie Murphy’s side was the deserving winner, bagging four tries against a Connacht outfit that started well, but struggled to translate possession into scores when they had their chances.
Connacht head coach Stuart Lancaster says although dominating possession and territory, the two tries, particularly the one on half-time, changed the game’s momentum.
“So we go in at half time 10-12 having pretty much 70 per cent of possession, and that was disappointing. Then obviously in the second half, there was a change of momentum. We came out on the wrong side of the penalty count in that period and the penalty count led to pressure.
“We came back well, so plenty of positives in that,” he says. But to get over the line and win, Connacht need to fix their “defensive errors”.
Lancaster says there is still a long way to go in the season.
“We are very new into the project. We have young players getting experience, which we wouldn’t normally do, but for injuries.”
The home side led until the stroke of half-time when Ulster’s Zac Ward showed great pace, escaped two tackles, and delivered a second try for the visitors to put them in front by 10-12.
Until then Connacht had dominated possession, leading 10-0 after 30 minutes. Outhalf Sam Gilbert missed a 14th minute penalty, but Lancaster’s men were on the front foot, particularly after Jack Murphy was yellow carded for a deliberate knock-on.
Although creating opportunities, the home side struggled to convert until the 24th minute through a Finn Treacy try, with Gilbert adding the extras and a subsequent 31st minute penalty.
But the visitors struck back before the break, capitalising on a penalty to touch. Once the line-out was secured, the backs took control before Zac Ward delivered and Jack Murphy added the extras. Within minutes Ward bagged the second, showing impressive pace to escape two tackles before touching down. Murphy’s conversion edged the visitors in front 10-12 at the break.
In a combative affair, both sides found themselves a man down early in the second half - Bundee Aki and Stuart McCloskey both yellow carded.
However, the home side gave themselves real hope, grabbing a much-needed try after 67 minutes - Ioane playing a pivotal role. Matthew Devine sent a long pass out to Gilbert, and although Finn Treacy was just short of the line, Devine found Jansen who crashed over. Gilbert converted to narrow the gap to 17-26 and give the home side some real hope after 66 minutes.
An incisive break by Ioane ensured Connacht delivered again. Aki and Prendergast added momentum with line before Devine delivering and Gilbert adding the extras.
It brought the home side within two points with a few minutes left, but Ulster were not to be denied - securing possession and winning a 79th penalty to ensure there was no comeback for Connacht.
Scoring sequence: 24m Treacy try, Gilbert con 7-0; 30m Gilbert pen 10-0; 34m Ward try, Murphy con 10-7; 41m Ward try 10-12. HT 10-12. 48m Kok try, Murphy con 10-19; 52m penalty try and con 10-26; Jansen try, Gilbert con 17-26; 76m Devine try, Gilbert con 24-26, 80m Ulster pen 24-29.
Connacht: S Gilbert, D Ryan, C Forde, B Aki, F Treacy, J Carty, B Murphy, D Buckley, D Heffernan, F Bealham, J Joyce, D O’Connor, J Murphy, C Prendergast, S Jansen. Replacements, D Tierney-Martin, J Duggan, F Barrett, D Murray, S O’Brien, M Devine, J Ioane, H Gavin.
Ulster: J Stockdale, W Kok, J Hume, S McCloskey, Z Ward, J Murphy, C McKee, S Crean, T Stewart, S Wilson, H Sheridan, C Izuchukwu, D McCann, N Timoney, J Augustus. Replacements, J Andrew, A Bell, T O’Toole, J Hopes, B Ward, N Doak, J Flannery, J Postlewaite.
Referee: E Cross (IRFU )
