Ulster A, sponsored by CD Group, consolidated their position at the top of Pool 1 in the British & Irish Cup with a bonus point win over London Scottish at Kingspan Stadium on Friday evening.
British & Irish Cup Round 5
Ulster A 38-21 London Scottish
It was London Scottish who made the brighter start when, on 6 minutes, a powerful maul took them up close enough for flanker Danny to drive over from close range, then full-back Peter Lydon confidently struck over the conversion to make it 0-7.
It took Ulster A until the 14th minute to open their account when out-half Johnny McPhillips made the most of some good fortune as an attempted kick through was deflected into the hands of David Busby who fed McPhillips to slide over in the left corner.
Six minutes later Lorcan Dow put Ulster in front when the number 8 picked up a loose ball and dived over, following a Conor Joyce break off lineout possession. McPhillips added the extras to make it Ulster A 12 London Scottish 7.
The visitors responded on 26 minutes when they benefited from another maul with prop Dan Koroi crashing over before Lydon added another conversion to edge his side in front.
McPhillips had one more opportunity on the cusp of half-time but his long range penalty attempt dropped just short and right, meaning London Scottish went in with a 12-14 lead at the interval.
It was the home side who came out of the blocks fastest in the second half with a try from a maul of their own, hooker Jonny Murphy coming up with the ball.
On 56 minutes Ulster secured the fourth try bonus point when a flowing move saw Craig Gilroy eat up some open space before releasing Darren Cave in the left corner. Mark Best notched the conversion to open up a 24-14 lead for the Ulster men.
Seven minutes later Cave got his second try with an almost carbon copy of the first; Gilroy making the break and feeding the centre to finish off. Best added another conversion to put some daylight between the sides.
Scottish responded in impressive fashion on 68 minutes when flanker Joe Atkinson brushed off the Ulster rearguard and powered over to touch down under the posts. Lydon hastily kicked the conversion and reduced the deficit to 31-21.
Ulster wing Busby staved off any thoughts of a comeback when he darted in from the left to dot down before Best added his third conversion to put the result beyond doubt.
In the final minutes London Scottish piled on the pressure but, much to the pleasure of the Ulster coaching team, the home defence remained resolute, holding out their opponents and denying them of a fourth try and resulting bonus point.
Ulster A will travel to Jersey Reds next Saturday 21st January for the final group stage game, kick-off 2.00pm at St Peter’s.
Ulster A scorers:
Tries: McPhillips, Dow, Murphy, Cave (2), Busby
Cons: McPhillips, Best (3)
London Scottish scorers:
Tries: Kenny, Koroi, Atkinson
Cons: Lydon (3)
ULSTER A:
(15-9) Rob Lyttle (Jack Owens 15), Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Mark Best, David Busby, Johnny McPhillips, Jonny Stewart;
(1-8) Tommy O'Hagan, Jonny Murphy (Zack McCall 61), Ricky Lutton (Craig Trenier 53), Robbie Diack, John Donnan, Stephen Mulholland (Alex Thompson 73), Conor Joyce, Lorcan Dow.
Subs not used: Connor Smyth, Johnny Creighton, Rory Butler.
LONDON SCOTTISH:
(15-9) Peter Lydon, Craig Holland (Alec Coombes 40), Robbie Fergusson, Patrick Kelly, Jason Harries, George Cullen, Ed Hoadley;
(1-8) Grant Shiells (Jonny Harris 40), George Turner (David Cherry 53), Dan Koroi (Phil Cringle 63), Rory Bartle, Callum Hunter Hill (Neale Patrick 53), Danny Kenny, Joe Atkinson, Dave Sisi (Ifereimi Boladau 53).
Sub not used: Tom Galbraith.
Man of the Match: Tommy O'Hagan (Ulster A)
Referee: Joy Neville (Ireland).
British & Irish Cup Round 5
Ulster A 38-21 London Scottish
It was London Scottish who made the brighter start when, on 6 minutes, a powerful maul took them up close enough for flanker Danny to drive over from close range, then full-back Peter Lydon confidently struck over the conversion to make it 0-7.
It took Ulster A until the 14th minute to open their account when out-half Johnny McPhillips made the most of some good fortune as an attempted kick through was deflected into the hands of David Busby who fed McPhillips to slide over in the left corner.
Six minutes later Lorcan Dow put Ulster in front when the number 8 picked up a loose ball and dived over, following a Conor Joyce break off lineout possession. McPhillips added the extras to make it Ulster A 12 London Scottish 7.
The visitors responded on 26 minutes when they benefited from another maul with prop Dan Koroi crashing over before Lydon added another conversion to edge his side in front.
McPhillips had one more opportunity on the cusp of half-time but his long range penalty attempt dropped just short and right, meaning London Scottish went in with a 12-14 lead at the interval.
It was the home side who came out of the blocks fastest in the second half with a try from a maul of their own, hooker Jonny Murphy coming up with the ball.
On 56 minutes Ulster secured the fourth try bonus point when a flowing move saw Craig Gilroy eat up some open space before releasing Darren Cave in the left corner. Mark Best notched the conversion to open up a 24-14 lead for the Ulster men.
Seven minutes later Cave got his second try with an almost carbon copy of the first; Gilroy making the break and feeding the centre to finish off. Best added another conversion to put some daylight between the sides.
Scottish responded in impressive fashion on 68 minutes when flanker Joe Atkinson brushed off the Ulster rearguard and powered over to touch down under the posts. Lydon hastily kicked the conversion and reduced the deficit to 31-21.
Ulster wing Busby staved off any thoughts of a comeback when he darted in from the left to dot down before Best added his third conversion to put the result beyond doubt.
In the final minutes London Scottish piled on the pressure but, much to the pleasure of the Ulster coaching team, the home defence remained resolute, holding out their opponents and denying them of a fourth try and resulting bonus point.
Ulster A will travel to Jersey Reds next Saturday 21st January for the final group stage game, kick-off 2.00pm at St Peter’s.
Ulster A scorers:
Tries: McPhillips, Dow, Murphy, Cave (2), Busby
Cons: McPhillips, Best (3)
London Scottish scorers:
Tries: Kenny, Koroi, Atkinson
Cons: Lydon (3)
ULSTER A:
(15-9) Rob Lyttle (Jack Owens 15), Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Mark Best, David Busby, Johnny McPhillips, Jonny Stewart;
(1-8) Tommy O'Hagan, Jonny Murphy (Zack McCall 61), Ricky Lutton (Craig Trenier 53), Robbie Diack, John Donnan, Stephen Mulholland (Alex Thompson 73), Conor Joyce, Lorcan Dow.
Subs not used: Connor Smyth, Johnny Creighton, Rory Butler.
LONDON SCOTTISH:
(15-9) Peter Lydon, Craig Holland (Alec Coombes 40), Robbie Fergusson, Patrick Kelly, Jason Harries, George Cullen, Ed Hoadley;
(1-8) Grant Shiells (Jonny Harris 40), George Turner (David Cherry 53), Dan Koroi (Phil Cringle 63), Rory Bartle, Callum Hunter Hill (Neale Patrick 53), Danny Kenny, Joe Atkinson, Dave Sisi (Ifereimi Boladau 53).
Sub not used: Tom Galbraith.
Man of the Match: Tommy O'Hagan (Ulster A)
Referee: Joy Neville (Ireland).