Match Reports

Match Report | Dragons 22 Ulster 26

13th March 2021
Ulster made it 13 wins from 15 games in the Guinness PRO14, after securing a bonus-point victory over Dragons at Principality Stadium on Saturday evening. An early Ulster infringement gave Dragons and Sam Davies an opportunity at the posts, but the fly-half’s attempt was off-target after two minutes. The Ulster men were first to register points on the board, however, with Jacob Stockdale slinking his way through the Dragons’ defence, and Alby Mathewson running a great support line to collect the pass and score. Michael Lowry slotted the conversion to put Ulster seven up. Ulster’s second score came in the 21st minute with the midfield pairing of Stuart McCloskey and Stewart Moore combining nicely; McCloskey offloading to send Moore over the line. Lowry was on-target with the extras. Dragons had a chance to respond with an attacking line-out 5 metres out, but Ross Kane pounced on the loose ball from the throw to make the all-important steal and allow Lowry to relieve the pressure. The hosts did get on the board after an Ulster high tackle gave Sam Davies the opportunity to knock three over on 34 minutes. Dragons looked certain to score with the clock well in the red, as they pounded Ulster with attacking mauls and pick-and-goes. After a series of infractions, John Andrew was sent to the bin and Dragons went on the charge again, only to be held up by a resolute Ulster defence. Referee Adam Jones blew the whistle for half-time and the Ulster men could breathe a huge sigh of relief going in to the changing rooms. Ulster’s third try came as a result of an attacking maul, with the just-returned John Andrew coming away to bundle over for the try. The flags stayed down for the conversion attempt. Dragons got their first score on 55 minutes, with back-rower Ollie Griffiths muscling over the chalk for the hosts, despite valiant defending from the Ulster men to try and hold him up. Davies added the conversion. The bonus point try came for Ulster thanks to Stewart Moore, expertly picking out a Dragons pass to make the intercept and run the distance to cross under the posts. Michael Lowry fired over the extras to put Ulster 16 points ahead. The hosts responded after Nick Timoney was sin-binned for bringing down the Dragons maul, and winger Rio Dyer was the man to go over for the five points, which went unconverted. Ulster looked to probe the Dragons defence once more, but Nick Tompkins made an intercept to send Jonah Holmes in under the posts. Davies converted the score to bring the gap to four points, and securing the losing bonus points for the Welsh side. Second-placed Ulster now have 59 points in Conference A of the Guinness PRO14. Full-time score: Dragons 22 Ulster 26

WORTH ANOTHER LOOK

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

SCORERS

Dragons Tries: Ollie Griffiths, Rio Dyer, Jonah Holmes Cons: Sam Davies (2) Pens: Sam Davies Ulster Tries: Alby Mathewson, Stewart Moore (2), John Andrew Cons: Michael Lowry (3)

LINE-UPS

Dragons Josh Lewis, Jonah Holmes, Aneurin Owen, Jamie Roberts, Rio Dyer, Sam Davies, Rhodri Williams (c); Brok Harris, Richard Hibbard, Lloyd Fairbrother, Joe Davies, Joe Maksymiw, Harrison Keddie, Ben Fry, Ollie Griffiths. Replacements: Rhys Lawrence, Josh Reynolds, Aaron Jarvis, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter, Dan Baker, Gonzalo Bertranou, Nick Tompkins. Ulster Jacob Stockdale, Craig Gilroy, Stewart Moore, Stuart McCloskey, Rob Lyttle, Michael Lowry, Alby Mathewson; Eric O'Sullivan, John Andrew, Ross Kane, Alan O'Connor (C), Kieran Treadwell, David McCann, Sean Reidy, Nick Timoney. Replacements: Brad Roberts, Callum Reid, Gareth Milasinovich, Cormac Izuchukwu, Matty Rea, David Shanahan, Ian Madigan, Ethan McIlroy.

SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION

WHERE WE STAND

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