Ulster U20s played the second of four warm-up matches ahead of the start of the Interpros last weekend, defeating a Midland Counties side with an impressive 45-7 scoreline...

Ulster Under 20s ran out 45-7 winners over English Divisional side Midland Counties last Saturday at Shaw’s Bridge.

Ulster opened the game strongly and early pressure was rewarded with two Paddy Jackson penalties in the first seven minutes.

The larger Midland Counties pack found it difficult to match the pace at which Ulster were playing and the first of four first half Ulster tries came after 11 minutes. Good interplay between forwards and backs took play close to the Counties' goal line in the right hand corner. Quickly recycled ball was spread left and second row Paddy Marks was on hand to score in the left corner to increase Ulster’s lead to 11-0.

Ten minutes later, an excellent three quarter move saw impressive winger Craig Gilroy score in the right hand corner. but Paddy Jackson's conversion attempt bounced off the post.

With the Ulster line out functioning well and their scrum solid, they dominated their bigger opponents and the third score came after 27 minutes. Again, good interplay between forwards and backs saw Ulster move the ball from their own 22 and No. 8 David McGuigan was on hand to finish the move with an unconverted score in the left hand corner.

The Midland Counties forwards then began to make their physical advantage felt, but found the resolute Ulster defence extremely hard to breach. After 38 minutes, Ulster turned over a Counties attack and countered quickly taking play into their opponents 22. Ulster retained possession through a number of phases before moving the ball wide for full back Charlie Simpson to score leaving Ulster leading 26-0 at the break.

Ulsterstarted the second half in the same fashion as the first, keeping the game moving at a fast pace with quickly recycled ball and forwards and backs combining well. Following a number of good forward drives, the ball was moved wide for captain Luke Marshall to score the fifth try after 45 minutes. Paddy Jackson’s conversion increased the lead to 33-0. However, Counties had not given up and a period of pressure from their forwards saw them claim a converted score after 50 minutes to reduce the deficit to 33-7.

Ulster extended their lead again after 60 minutes with a text book score. Good forward driving saw Ulster take a play into the Counties 22 and, with the defence sucked in, quickly moved ball and good ands saw replacement winger Jack Carlisle score in the left corner with Paddy Jackson converting. Counties never gave up and a period of pressure in the Ulster 22 nearly produced a further score but a well organised Ulster defence would not yield. Ulster finished the game with a final try in the 78^th minute from second row Ian Henderson after good work from the forwards to make the final score 45-7.

Ulster U20 s Manager John McKibbin was reasonably happy with the performance but was aware that sterner tests lie ahead, “This was a competent performance and it was pleasing to see our lineout and scrum operate well to give us the platform to play from. The backline clearly showed that given good ball, they can do a lot of damage to opponents. However, Midland Counties had only really had their players together for a short period of time and clearly we were more organised and better prepared. We will find the next two warm-up games against Ballynahinch 1^st XV on Wednesday evening and the Irish Exiles in London on Sunday much more difficult opponents”

The next Ulster U20s game is on Wednesday evening against Ballynahinch at Ballymacarn Park with a 7.30pm kick off.

U20s: Ulster U20s Claim Impressive Win In Warm-Up Match

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