City of Derry RFC were celebrating the opening of their Judges Road Club thirty years ago, and it was very fitting that their only starting player winger Killeen Thornton, scored the opening try from a superb cross field kick pass by out half Eddie Keys, which the number 10 converted.
At this stage, Ulster had weathered a strong opening from Connacht, and on fifteen minutes they had try number two, when second row James Wright drove over after strong forward play.
Two more scores came before the half hour mark, when firstly a superb piece of passing saw wing forward, Curtis Pollock, over at the corner, and then a five metre line out saw hooker, Matthew Coulter, power over, to leave the scoreline 26-0 in Ulster’s favour.
In extra time, Ulster had their fifth score when full back, Michael Orr, hit the line superbly and raced over, with Keyes converting the last three touchdowns for a commanding 33-0 lead.
HT: Ulster 33-0 Connacht
After the break, play was disrupted for a couple of injuries but both players recovered, and soon after, a sweeping Ulster attack saw Thornton dive over in the corner for his brace of scores.
Connacht then had a player yellow-carded for a deliberate knock down, but they upped their tempo, and on 65 minutes were rewarded for their endeavours when winger, Ethan Griffiths, dived over in the corner, and fellow winger Ian Murphy converted with a superb strike for their first points.
Ulster then brought on forward replacements and soon after Ulster had their seventh try, when number eight, Jack Gamble, broke through from a line out, and Keyes converted for his sixth conversion and a 47-7 scoreline.
The Westerners had their consolation score when replacement centre, Louis McVitty, was on the end of good interpassing and handling.
Ulster Head Coach, Mike Orchin-McKeever, and his Assistant, Richard Mc Carter, were both delighted with this display, and will be looking forward to building on this performance ahead of the next two games against Munster and Leinster.
FT: Ulster 47-12 Connacht
