Leinster 7 Ulster 10

Ulster warmed up for the start of the new season with a hard fought victory over inter provincial rivals Leinster in the unfamiliar surroundings of Tallaght Stadium in South Dublin.

Ulster scored the first try of the game after just two minutes. Louis Ludik attacked the Leinster line but lost his footing just short. The ball was recycled quickly, it was passed out the line and Jared Payne touched down in the corner.

Ian Humphreys added the extras with a difficult conversion from the touchline.

Leinster had the chance to get on the score sheet on 15 minutes but Jimmy Gopperth’s penalty sailed wide of the posts.

Ulster were making life difficult for Leinster and the returning Stuart Olding made a series of powerful tackles in midfield.

The visitors extended their lead on the half hour. Scrum half Paul Marshall put up an excellent box kick, Craig Gilroy made a superb tackle and openside Sean Reidy followed up to win the penalty.

Humphreys made no mistakes with the kick to make it Leinster 0 Ulster 10.

It almost got even better for Ulster at the end of the half when Jared Payne cut through the Leinster defence. He passed to Stuart Olding the ball was recycled to Ian Humphreys whose cross field kick was almost gathered by Michael Allen with the try line at his mercy.

Half Time Leinster 0 Ulster 10

There were three changes for Ulster at half time. Nick Williams came on at Number 8 for Roger Wilson, Ricky Andrew replaced Louis Ludik at fullback and Ruaidhri Murphy replaced Andrew Warwick at loosehead.

Leinster started the second half just the way Ulster had began the first with a try. The home side took a quick free kick, it was passed out and hooker Bryan Byrne crossed for the try on 47 minutes.

Fergus McFadden almost got a second try for the home team – he made a superb run on 57 minutes, cuting through the Ulster defence but a good tackle from Craig Gilroy saved Ulster.

Late in the half Paul Marshall made an excellent break, Craig Gilroy supported him but there was no one there to finish it off. The ball was turned over and Leinster were awarded the penalty.

Both sides emptied their benches as the half wore on with almost every substitute making an appearance.
Leinster pushed for the win in the final minutes but Ulster held on to claim a well earned inter-provincial victory.

Full Time Leinster 7 Ulster 10

(15-9) L Ludik, M Allen, J Payne, S Olding, C Gilroy, I Humphreys, P Marshall; (1-9); A Warwick, R Herring, W Herbst, D Tuohy, F van der Merwe, R Diack, S Reidy, R Wilson (C); Replacements: R Murphy, J Andrew, D Fitzpatrick, A O’Connor, N McComb, C Joyce, C Ross, N Williams, C Black, K McCall, B Ross, L Stevenson, M MCComish, M Heaney, D Shanahan, S O’Hagan, R Adair, J Stockdale, R Scholes, R Andrew.

(15-9) Z Kirchner, F McFadden, B Macken, S Crosbie, D Fanning, J Gopperth, L McGrath, C Healy, B Byrne, M Ross, K McLaughlin, M McCarthy, Jack Conan, S Jennings, Sean O'Brien (C); Replacements: T Moran, M Bent, T Furlong, T Denton, B Marshall, I Boss, I Madigan, S Coghlan Murphy, S McCarthy, G Thornbury, D Leavy, N McCarthy, C Marsh, M McGrath, B Dardis