It was the first time a fixture of this type has taken place, with some of the Ulster Rugby Academy linking-up with Development players to go up against some of the most talented players from the All-Ireland League.
Both sets of players had to contend with increasingly poor conditions all evening as the rain and wind swirled around Gibson Park, the home of Malone RFC.
This prevented either side from moving the ball around too much in the early exchanges which were characterised by Ulster Captain Lorcan McLaughlin’s huge carry with the first action of the game.
Loosehead Jack Boal then showed good strength to break a few tackles with a strong surge around the halfway line, with openside Josh Stevens following up in the next phase with an incisive line break to make 20 metres, before being cut down by the AIL XV defence.
Midway through the opening period, a 50:22 from Mark Best set the stage for the AIL XV to drive over from the resulting lineout, with Adam Lamont touching down in the corner. Adam Doherty hit the conversion from a difficult angle to give them a 7-0 lead.
Some strong defensive work by Ulster’s James Girvan prevented a second try, before scrum-half Ryan Davis took a quick tap penalty to get them out of their 22.
However, the AIL XV worked their way back into the Ulster half and Bevan Prinsloo darted over from close range, leaving Doherty a straightforward kick to make it 14-0 at the break.
HT: 0-14
Somehow, the conditions worsened into the second period and both sides were badly affected by handling errors which continued to disrupt the flow of the game, while the wet pitch caused several players to lose their footing in open play situations.
Strong defensive work by the Ulster pack resulted in the AIL XV being held up over the line, and from the resulting exit, Ulster strung together a few phases and worked themselves close to the opposition 22.
Ulster captain Lorcan McLaughlin then showed some quick thinking from just outside the AIL XV 22 to tap a penalty and catch the defence cold, running a smart angled line to outpace the covering defenders and race clear to score in the corner, with the try going unconverted.
Despite the conditions, Ulster then produced their second try on the back of some neat and quick hands from Zac Solomon and Rory Ellerby, with the pair linking up well before Ellerby released Adam Montgomery to score in the same corner as his captain.
It got Ulster back to within a single score, but with the rain and wind continuing to cause havoc, the final minutes of the game were frustrating for both sides, and the AIL XV held on for the win.
FT: 10-14
Scorers
Ulster
Tries: L McLaughlin; A Montgomery
AIL XV
Tries: A Lamont; B Prinsloo
Cons: Adam Doherty (2)
Line-ups
Ulster Development
15-9): Ben McFarlane, Lukas Kenny, James Girvan, Ben Gibson, Ethan Graham, Zach Quirke, Ryan Davis
(1-8): Jack Boal, Henry Walker, Cameron Doak, James McKillop, Mark Lee, Bryn Ward, Josh Stevens, Lorcan McLaughlin (C)
Replacements: Zac Solomon, Jacob Boyd, Flynn Longstaff, Scott Craig, Conor Neary, Adam Montgomery, James Humphreys, Rory Ellerby, Henry Boyle, Josh Eagleson
AIL Select XV
(15-9): Adam Doherty (Banbridge RFC); Curtis Henry (Ballymena RFC); Bevan Prinsloo (Instonians RFC); Mark Best (Ballynahinch RFC); Dylan Nelson (City of Armagh RFC); Robbie Johnston (QUB RFC); Rhys O’Donnell (Instonians RFC)
(1-8): David Braden (Omagh RFC); Dan O’Neill (Rainey OB RFC); Joe Charles (Ballynahinch RFC); Adam McNamee (Malone RFC); Robert Sproule (Omagh RFC); Adam Lamont (Ballymena RFC); Dave Cave (Malone RFC); Bradley Luney (Ballynahinch RFC)
Replacements: Sam Green (Malone RFC); Lawson Porter (Malone RFC); James Leary (Bangor RFC); John McCusker (Rainey OB RFC); Cameron Steenson (Dungannon RFC); Robin Sinton (Banbridge RFC); Lewis Finlay (City of Armagh RFC); Pierce Crowe (Ballymena RFC); Glen Faloon (City of Armagh RFC); Matthew Montgomery (Dungannon RFC); Ross Taylor (City of Armagh RFC); Mark Keane (Instonians RFC)
Staff: Adam Craig (Ballynahinch RFC); Ian McKinlay (Rainey OB RFC); Josh Pentland (Malone RFC); Rab Logan (Banbridge RFC)
Full Time 🏉
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) August 18, 2023
Ulster Development chalk up two tries in the second half, but it’s the AIL Select XV that take the win.
10-14 pic.twitter.com/9rrUvXZFWm