The game started out a tight affair with Ulster having the first kick of the game. Both teams were struggling to assert power and the game took a while to move far from the halfway mark. Munster were the first to try for a score in the twelfth minute, but a resolute Ulster defence led to the ball being held up on the line.
Ulster started to ascertain dominance through Matty Dalton and Tom Brigg carrying powerfully through the Munster midfield. This translated into points in the 20th minute, as Brigg himself crashed over for the opening try, following a sustained period of pressure. Ben McFarlane added the extras, taking the score to 7-0.
Munster A responded positively, but Ulster's defence held firm. Ulster were able to turn the ball over well with strong performances from Peter Nelson and Lukas Kenny and were out looking for their second score. Ulster's pressure eventually yielded another try, with Reuben Crothers going over after a series of well-worked phases. Another successful McFarlane conversion, left Ulster with a comfortable 14-0 lead at the break.
HT: Ulster A 14 - 0 Munster A
Ulster were quick to spring back into action with a try coming from Bryn Ward in the fourth minute of the second half, extending the home side’s lead to 19-0. Just three minutes later, Ben McFarlane would pick up Ulster’s fourth try after an excellent pass saw him soar down the right wing and crash over the whitewash, pushing Ulster out in front 26-0.
However, there came a change in momentum as Munster A emerged with renewed purpose. Des Fitzgerald exploited a gap in the Ulster defence to score a try in the fifty second minute, narrowing the deficit to 26-7. Eight minutes later, Munster dotted over again, this time with Bobby Doherty. Tony Butler added the extras closing the gap to 26-14.
The victory was a testament to Ulster's collective effort. Standout performances came from several players, including Reuben Crothers, Matty Dalton, Tom Brigg, and the influential Ben McFarlane.
FT: Ulster A 26 - 14 Munster A
Ulster
(15-9) Ben McFarlane, Lukas Kenny, Wilhelm de Klerk, Peter Nelson, Ethan Graham, Dan Green, Conor McKee
(1-8) Jacob Boyd, James McCormick (C), Bryan O'Connor, Matty Dalton, Joe Hopes, Tom Brigg, Reuben Crothers, Bryn Ward
Replacements: Conor Magee, Jack Boal, Cameron Doak, Flynn Longstaff, James McKillop, Michael McDonald, Fraser Cunningham, Josh Gibson, Josh Stevens, Conor Rankin, Jack Harte
Munster
(15-9) Dylan Hicks, Shay McCarthy, Gene O’Leary Kareem, Bryan Fitzgerald, Hubert Gilvarry, Tony Butler, Jack Oliver
(1-8) George Hadden, Scott Buckley, Conor Bartley, Conor Kennelly, Michael Foy, Jonathan Byrne, Jack Daly (C), Seán Edogbo
Replacements: Danny Sheahan, Christian Foley, Kieran Ryan, Fionn O’Meara, Des Fitzgerald, Bobby Doherty, Jake O’Riordan, Tom Wood, Harry Murphy, Jed O’Dwyer