Match Report | Ulster Development 108-10 New England Independents

Ulster Development recorded a thumping victory against the Boston-based, New England Independents, at Kingspan Stadium.

The match at Kingspan Stadium consisted of three thirty minute sessions, in order to spread the game-time across the larger, 29 player squad.

Ulster started with a mixture of Senior Men's players, Development, Academy, Club and School players, with Academy back-rower, James McNabney, captaining the side.

In the first session, Ulster's quality showed immediately with a ruthless seven try display in half an hour.

Development scrum-half got two converted scores in the opening seven minutes, the first after a good break from Banbridge RFC centre, Johnny Scott, who passed to McKee and the scrum-half raced clear. The second was a lovely kick through, with McKee running onto and collecting his own accurate kick.

Aaron Sexton was next to get in on the act, with McKee turning creator in this instance. The on-fire nine breaking the line to find Sexton on the inside support line and he dotted down with ease.

After the 20 minute mark, James McCormick, scored the fourth, the Development hooker going over after a driving maul from a scrum.

Two minutes later, Sexton showcased his speed, as he ran about 80m from his own half for a stunning try.

Both McKee and Sexton would complete their hat tricks in the following minutes of the session, with both being assisted by the impressive Ben Carson.

McKee's third was down to a nice combination with centre, Ben Carson, and Sexton grabbed his hat trick after a line break from Carson, who found Sexton in space.

The first session ended with Ulster 45-0 to the good.

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The second session saw both sides ring the changes. Ulster enjoyed more dominance in the second session, with four converted tries to add to the opening exchanges.

Ulster dominated the half once again, while having to defend in moments after the away side made positive changes.

The home side made an early try through replacement prop, Tom McAllister, who showed awareness to finish after an attacking move instigated through a sprint on the left wing from big lock, Charlie Irvine.

Centre Johnny Scott scored the province's ninth with a lovely side-step to finish off a good. move started from James McNabney's carry.

Olly Smyth grabbed a try after running a good support line for Ben McFarlane, who had the skill to execute a lovely grubber pass to Smyth who finished well.

The captain James McNabney, was outstanding and he got his own score after drifting out to the win during an attack. Once the ball was worked out wide to the eight, he fended off the defender well to make the score 73-0, after the conversion.

That ended the second session, with Ulster enjoying their dominant performance.

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The third session saw a further five tries from Ulster, with a double from back-rower, Josh Stevens, who showed great individual speed and strength to finish two excellent tries.

Rainey Endowed man, Billy Allen, celebrated a well-worked try after combining with fellow schools player, Clarke Logan, to score under the posts.

A Rory Telfer sprint from the halfway line saw the full-back grab his first try of the match before prop Tom McAllister scored the province's final try, showing good pace for a prop on the wing.

The Independents didn't give up, and had two moments of their own to celebrate. Their scrum-half Bobby Voth, scored a wonderful drop goal to put points on the board, before a consolation try that was converted by Voth.

At full-time Ulster celebrated an impressive, confident display with 16 tries to show.

FT: Ulster Development 108-10 New England Independents

Scorers

Ulster

TRY: McKee x3, Sexton x3, McCormick, McAllister x2, Scott, Smyth, McNabney, Stevens x2, Allen, Telfer

CON: McKee x5, Rogers x9

Ulster Development

(15-9) Rory Telfer (QUB RFC), Aaron Sexton (Ballynahinch RFC), Johnny Scott (Banbridge RFC), Ben Carson (Ballynahinch RFC), Michael McLean (Ballymena Academy), Eamon Rogers (QUB RFC), Conor McKee (Ballynahinch RFC)

(1-8) Jack Boal (QUB RFC), James McCormick (City of Armagh RFC), Flynn Longstaff (QUB RFC), David Gillespie (Ballyclare RFC), Charlie Irvine (QUB RFC), Tom Brigg (QUB RFC), Marcus Rea (Ballynahinch RFC), James McNabney (C) (City of Armagh RFC)

Replacements: Zac Solomon (Banbridge RFC), Niall Carville (City of Armagh RFC), Tom McAllister (Belfast Harlequins RFC), Callum Johns (Wallace HS), Billy Allen (Rainey Endowed School), Olly Smyth (Belfast Harlequins RFC), Josh Stevens (QUB RFC), Ryan Connolly (Down High School), Henry Walker (QUB RFC), James McKillop (QUB RFC), Cal Florence (QUB RFC), Clarke Logan (Coleraine Grammar School), Ethan Graham (Ballynahinch RFC), Ben McFarlane (QUB RFC).