Despite the result, the Ulster boys showed immense character, fighting to the end with two late scores.
The home side got off to a dream start, with prop Elias Agbonkpolor dotting down for the first try of the game in the 4th minute. The score was expertly converted by out-half Jonnie Kennedy, giving Ulster an early 7-0 lead.
Leinster responded with a period of sustained pressure, but the Ulster defence held firm with strong clearance kicks from Kennedy and scrum-half Sam Harper keeping the visitors at bay. Despite good high ball takes from Leinster's Matthew Costello, Ulster's skipper Harry Dougan and Harper led a scrappy attack into the Leinster 22, but the visitors’ defence held firm.
A strong lineout led to another attack, this time with a good run from Luke McMillan. The visitors, however, showed their own attacking prowess with a leaping run from winger Franklin Onwuzulumba, who was well tackled by skipper Dougan.
A missed lineout from Ulster allowed Leinster to gain momentum, with a strong carry from Cillian McElwee. Ulster recovered well to turn the ball over, but Leinster returned the favour, pushing back into Ulster territory. The pressure eventually paid off for Leinster, with a penalty kick from Matthew Costello putting them on the board in the 21st minute.
This score put Leinster on a roll, with a flurry of tries. A strong burst from Aidan McGovern led to a try from Eanna Moynihan, giving Leinster the lead for the first time. Two further tries from Leinster's David Cronn and Franklin Onwuzulumba, both converted by Costello, extended the visitors' lead to 7-24.
Leinster continued this momentum right up to the half-time whistle, with Cronn securing his second try just before the break. Costello converted once again, taking the half-time score to 7-31.
HT: Ulster 7 - 31 Leinster
Leinster continued to dominate into the second half. A further score from Moynihan in the 37th minute, converted by Costello, extended the visitors' lead to 7-38. Despite several attempts from Ulster, Leinster's defence forced penalties, keeping the home side at bay.
The visitors' Franklin Onwuzulumba scored his second try of the game, making the score 7-45. However, Ulster showed their fighting spirit. A late surge of composure and determination led to a try from James Lennon, which was converted by Kennedy. Minutes later, Lennon crossed the line for his second score of the day, with the conversion slotted through once again by the out-half, bringing the final score to 21-45.
Despite the result, Ulster U18 Clubs can take heart from a brave performance, particularly the two late tries which demonstrated their spirit and determination to the end.
Scorers
Ulster
Tries: Agbonkpolor, Lennon (2)
Conversion: Kennedy (3)
Leinster
Tries: Moynihan (2), Cronn (2), Onwuzulumba (2)
Conversion: Costello (6)
Penalty: Costello
Teams
Ulster
15 Alfie Clarke, 14 Luke McMillan, 13 Joe Coates, 12 Ryan Hamilton, 11 Lorcan McLarnon, 10 Jonnie Kennedy, 9 Sam Harper, 8 Caiden Slaughter, 7 Harry Dougan (C), 6 Austin Adair, 5 Tyrese Dunlop, 4 Alfie Lucy, 3 Joel Irwin, 2 Josh McColgan, 1 Elias Agbonkpolor
Replacements
16 Ashton Hassard, 17 Noah Carson, 18 Dylan Byrne, 19 James Lennon, 20 James Flannagan, 21 Ben Todd, 22 Scott Henderson, 23 Lewis McIvor
Leinster
15 Matthew Costello, 14 Tadg Young, 13 Alex Bagnall, 12 David Cronn, 11 Franklin Onwuzulumba, 10 Joshua O'Keeffe, 9 James Walls, 8 Cillian McElwee, 7 Isaac O'Neill, 6 Harvey Butler, 5 Alan Higgins, 4 Aidan Tamming, 3 Tadgh Halpenny (C), 2 Harry Heagney, 1 Aidan McGovern
Replacements
16 Seamus Whelan, 17 Philip Murphy, 18 Sean Glapiak, 19 Ciaran Dunne, 20 Eanna Moynihan, 21 Cillian Murphy, 22 Bryan O'Hara, 23 Michael Redmond