Leinster U18 (Youth) Vs Ulster U18 (Youth) Match Report

Leinster kicked off playing into the wind and Ulster were immediately penalised for hands in the ruck. The penalty was missed. This set the tone for the rest of the game as Leinster were decisive and urgent in their play than Ulster.
Leinster were playing well with ball in hand and their support play and off loading in the tackle was excellent.
Ulster defended well. Connor Phillips (Ballynahinch) broke through the Leinster line, off loaded to Owen Gallagher (Banbridge) and only a despairing push into touch by the Leinster defence prevented Lee Steenson (Dromore) from scoring a try.
Leinster went through another good phase of play but knocked on with the line at their mercy. Ulster replied strongly and a great break by Eamonn McAnulty (Ballynahinch) continued on by Jay Malcolm (Larne) who was tackled into touch 10 metres from the line. Leinster cleared their line and forced their way up field. Ulster secured a good turnover and Niall Patterson (Virginia) emerged from the ruck and sprinted clear, only to be called back for obstruction.
Ulster were playing well and Owen Gallagher broke free, was stopped short of the line and was penalised for holding on as he had run out of support.
Leinster cleared the danger and moved into the Ulster 22 through great play and ball handling. They forced a 5 metre scrum and Irish Youth International and Captain Eoghan Masterson picked up and scored a try wide out. The conversion was missed.
24 Minutes Leinster 5 Ulster 0
The Leinster centre and Irish Youth International, Kieran Butler ran a great line and sliced through the Ulster defence but he was stopped short of the line.
Following a good off the top ball, Leinster swept the ball wide to the right, then cross kicked left into space an the left but the ball was knocked on.
Leinster continued to attack and moved the ball right then left and blind side Akhlaque Khan scored a second try for Leinster. The conversion was missed.
30 Minutes Leinster 10 Ulster 0
This seemed to spur Ulster into action and were awarded a penalty which Adam Doherty (Banbridge) slotted between the posts.
34 Minutes Leinster 10 Ulster 3
Ulster continued to put Leinster under pressure and Adam Doherty pounced on a dropped pass moved the ball quickly right and Jay Malcolm forced his way over for an unconverted try.
35 Minutes and half time Leinster 10 Ulster 8
Leinster now with the wind at their backs turned in a superb second half. They broke free and Lee Steenson put in a try saving tackle. The Leinster full back Eoin Stynes enjoyed a plentiful supply of ball and ran from deep on several occasions pushing Ulster deep into their own half.
Following a great break by Lee Steenson Ulster attacked well but as the move continued a pass was intercepted Masterson who fed Butler to score a try beside the posts. Thomas Daly converted
47 Minutes Leinster 17 Ulster 8
This was the beginning of a great display of running rugby by Leinster.
Caillin Thornton (Rainey) replaced Gary Spence
Owen Gallagher went off injured with a knock to his knee and was replaced by Jack McMurtry (Malone).
Lenister swept the ball right, left, right and left again and when faced with a one to one situation McMurtry put in a strong try saving on the left wing.
Ross McCausland(Instonians) replaced Luke Creighton (Malone) who had a bad knock affecting his AC joint and he may be out of the next match against Munster.
Ulster were going through some good phases of play but this was mostly between their own 22 and 10 metre line. The Leinster defence was fierce and forced turnover and Butler scored a try converted by Daly.
67 Minutes Leinster 24 Ulster 8
Ulster cleared their replacement bench. As Ulster tried to reorganise, Leinster quickly ran in two soft tries, one by out half Liam Bourke unconverted and then by replacement Diare Dalton who sprinted the length of the pitch following an Ulster mistake close to the Leinster line. Daly converted
70 Minutes and full time Leinster 36 Ulster 8
This was a lack lustre display by Ulster who were punished by a very good Leinster team. Ulster showed what they are capable of last week against Connacht, especially in the second half and must show a sense of urgency next week when they play their final Inter Provincial next week in Portadown against Munster with a 1 pm kick off.

For pictures from the match please click here.

Calor Ulster Youth lose out to a strong Leinster Team

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