Match Reports

Report | Ulster 18 Leinster 13

12th March 2022
Ulster ground out a win to do the home-and-away double over Inter-Pro rivals Leinster at a sodden Kingspan Stadium on Saturday evening.

Stuart McCloskey led out the team with his son on the occasion of his 150th appearance for the province.

The men in white laid down an early marker when John Andrew pinched an overthrown line-out throw by James Tracy to put the hosts on the front foot in the opening few minutes.

The damp conditions proved tricky for handling for both sides as they tried to break the deadlock. Eventually, Ulster got a penalty which Billy Burns kicked for the line-out option. John Andrew brought them close, and Nathan Doak sent his forwards on the carry. Sam Carter was the man to crash over for their first try and Doak was on-target with the conversion.

Four minutes later, Leinster reduced the deficit to four through the boot of Ross Byrne.

Ulster found it difficult to deal with the high ball in the Belfast drizzle. Good Leinster pressure brought them up to the line. They took the quick-tap penalty after Ulster were pinged for not rolling away, and Max Deegan crossed for their first try.

Marcus Rea made a phenomenal turnover inside Ulster’s half, which sent Mike Lowry on a fantastic break. He passed wide to Robert Baloucoune who offloaded inside to Stewart Moore who got swallowed up by the Leinster defence. It wasn’t long however until Ulster had another opportunity and Lowry had the space to run through for Ulster’s second try of the evening.

Ulster stretched their lead to eight points at the stroke of half-time, with a sweetly-struck long-range penalty from Nathan Doak.

Leinster were first to get on the board in the second half after Ulster were penalised for not releasing and Ross Byrne landed the penalty.

With the weather deteriorating, the middle quarter of the game slowed as replacements were made, including Jordi Murphy for his 50th Ulster appearance.

Leinster had a chance on 60 minutes when they went wide to Tommy O’Brien, but Robert Baloucoune had his card marked and tackled him into touch. The visitors had another bite with the maul and their forwards went on the pick-and-go, but referee Frank Murphy spotted a Leinster obstruction to give Ulster a reprieve.

The 16,000-strong Ulster crowd tried to lift their team as they made their way into Leinster territory with ten minutes to go. It turned into an aerial battle for the final few minutes as both sides tried to find a hole in the gap. Neither team could get purchase, and Ulster had done enough to claim victory.

Full-time score: Ulster 18 Leinster 13

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Player of the Match

Scorers

Ulster

Tries: Sam Carter, Mike Lowry

Cons: Nathan Doak

Pens: Nathan Doak (2)

 

Leinster

Tries: Max Deegan

Cons: Ross Byrne

Pens: Ross Byrne (2)

Line-ups

Ulster

(15-9) Mike Lowry, Robert Baloucoune, Stewart Moore, Stuart McCloskey, Craig Gilroy, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak;

(1-8) Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Marty Moore, Alan O’Connor (Capt.), Sam Carter, Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: Tom Stewart, Eric O’Sullivan, Gareth Milasinovich, Mick Kearney, Jordi Murphy, John Cooney, Ian Madigan, Ben Moxham.

Leinster

(15-9) Jimmy O'Brien, Adam Byrne, Rory O'Loughlin, Jamie Osborne, Tommy O'Brien, Ross Byrne, Luke McGrath (Capt.);

(1-8) Peter Dooley, James Tracy, Michael Ala'alatoa, Ross Molony, Joe McCarthy, Rhys Ruddock, Scott Penny, Max Deegan.

Replacements: Seán Cronin, Temi Lasisi, Thomas Clarkson, Devin Toner, Dan Leavy, Nick McCarthy, David Hawkshaw, Martin Moloney.

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Up next at Kingspan Stadium

After a trip to South Africa to face DHL Stormers and Vocacom Bulls in the URC, Ulster will then travel to face Toulouse in the Heineken Champions Cup Round of 16, before coming home to Kingspan Stadium to play the second leg against the French giants on 16 April.

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