As Ulster A, sponsored by CD Group, look ahead to a British & Irish Cup Quarter-Final away to Munster A this Sunday 12th March, here is a look back at the campaign to date...
Round 1: Ulster A 19-6 Jersey Reds - Friday 14th October at Shaw’s Bridge
The Ulster men started the B&I Cup with a win on Friday 14th October, where it took a Sam Windsor try in the 51st minute plus 14 points from the boots of Johnny McPhillips to see off a dogged Jersey Reds challenge at Shaws Bridge.
Round 2: London Scottish 34-29 Ulster A - Saturday 22nd October at Athletic Ground
The following weekend Ulster travelled to Richmond to take on London Scottish, where a slow start resulted in 34-29 defeat. However, a brave comeback aided by tries from Rob Lyttle, Lorcan Dow and a brace from hooker John Andrew saw the visitors come away with two crucial bonus points.
Round 3: Ulster A 16-10 Cardiff Blues Premiership Select - Friday 9th December at Eaton Park
In round 3, Ulster A welcomed the Cardiff Blues Premiership Select to Eaton Park on Friday 9th December. Depsite a numerical advantage for the second forty minutes, Ulster were made to work all the way for a 16-10 win, with Jack Owens getting Ulster’s only try of the game.
Round 4: Cardiff Blues Premiership Select 27-30 Ulster A - Saturday 17th December at Pontypridd RFC
Eight days later Ulster visited Pontypridd for the return fixture and again the game was in the balance until the final exchanges. This time it was replacement Peter Cooper who proved to be the hero, crashing over for his side’s third try in the closing stages to snatch a 27-30 win.
Round 5: Ulster A 38-21 London Scottish - Friday 13th January at Kingspan Stadium
On Friday 13th January, Ulster hosted London Scottish at Kingspan Stadium. The first half was a nip and tuck affair with Scottish going in 12-14 ahead at the interval, but a stunning second half performance from Ulster, including tries from Jonny Murphy, Darren Cave (2) and David Busby, saw the home side record the crucial bonus point win.
Round 6: Jersey Reds 26-21 Ulster A - Saturday 21st January at St Peter
Ulster A travelled to Jersey for the final group stage game on Saturday 21st January. With just one point separating the two sides at the top of Pool 1, the contest turned out to be a battle for a home draw in the quarter-finals.
First half tries from David Busby and a superb individual effort by Jacob Stockdale saw Ulster lead 10-14 at the interval. A Conor Joyce try shortly after the restart put Ulster into a commanding 10-21 lead, however it was the hosts who finished much stronger with two tries plus a couple of late penalties to secure the win.
Having finished as one of the best placed runner-up, Ulster A have been drawn away to Inter-Provincial rivals and Pool 2 table toppers Munster A.
2017 British and Irish Cup Quarter-Finals:
Munster A v Ulster A – Sunday 12th March, 3.00pm at Irish Independent Park
London Irish v Yorkshire Carnegie
Jersey Reds v Cornish Pirates
Ealing Trailfinders v Scarlets Premiership Select
Round 1: Ulster A 19-6 Jersey Reds - Friday 14th October at Shaw’s Bridge
The Ulster men started the B&I Cup with a win on Friday 14th October, where it took a Sam Windsor try in the 51st minute plus 14 points from the boots of Johnny McPhillips to see off a dogged Jersey Reds challenge at Shaws Bridge.
Round 2: London Scottish 34-29 Ulster A - Saturday 22nd October at Athletic Ground
The following weekend Ulster travelled to Richmond to take on London Scottish, where a slow start resulted in 34-29 defeat. However, a brave comeback aided by tries from Rob Lyttle, Lorcan Dow and a brace from hooker John Andrew saw the visitors come away with two crucial bonus points.
Round 3: Ulster A 16-10 Cardiff Blues Premiership Select - Friday 9th December at Eaton Park
In round 3, Ulster A welcomed the Cardiff Blues Premiership Select to Eaton Park on Friday 9th December. Depsite a numerical advantage for the second forty minutes, Ulster were made to work all the way for a 16-10 win, with Jack Owens getting Ulster’s only try of the game.
Round 4: Cardiff Blues Premiership Select 27-30 Ulster A - Saturday 17th December at Pontypridd RFC
Eight days later Ulster visited Pontypridd for the return fixture and again the game was in the balance until the final exchanges. This time it was replacement Peter Cooper who proved to be the hero, crashing over for his side’s third try in the closing stages to snatch a 27-30 win.
Round 5: Ulster A 38-21 London Scottish - Friday 13th January at Kingspan Stadium
On Friday 13th January, Ulster hosted London Scottish at Kingspan Stadium. The first half was a nip and tuck affair with Scottish going in 12-14 ahead at the interval, but a stunning second half performance from Ulster, including tries from Jonny Murphy, Darren Cave (2) and David Busby, saw the home side record the crucial bonus point win.
Round 6: Jersey Reds 26-21 Ulster A - Saturday 21st January at St Peter
Ulster A travelled to Jersey for the final group stage game on Saturday 21st January. With just one point separating the two sides at the top of Pool 1, the contest turned out to be a battle for a home draw in the quarter-finals.
First half tries from David Busby and a superb individual effort by Jacob Stockdale saw Ulster lead 10-14 at the interval. A Conor Joyce try shortly after the restart put Ulster into a commanding 10-21 lead, however it was the hosts who finished much stronger with two tries plus a couple of late penalties to secure the win.
Having finished as one of the best placed runner-up, Ulster A have been drawn away to Inter-Provincial rivals and Pool 2 table toppers Munster A.
2017 British and Irish Cup Quarter-Finals:
Munster A v Ulster A – Sunday 12th March, 3.00pm at Irish Independent Park
London Irish v Yorkshire Carnegie
Jersey Reds v Cornish Pirates
Ealing Trailfinders v Scarlets Premiership Select