Ards RFC hosted Ulster's second game of the 2018 Junior Inter-provincial Series, with the home side registering a 29-19 win against Connacht.
Ulster made a strong start to the game and scored an early try through Marty Irwin. Following an accurate lineout, Ulster moved the ball quickly into midfield and centre Callum Irvine made a half break, offloading to scrumhalf Lee Steenson who then picked out the onrushing Irwin. Steenson was successful with the conversion attempt for a 7-0 lead.
Ulster continued with its positive momentum and soon doubled its advantage. The forwards made some hard yards in midfield, with Paul Greenaway particularly effective, allowing the ball to be moved wide for Irvine crash over. Again, Steenson converted.
Connacht finally got a foothold in the game and forced a penalty, which fullback Ryan Guilfoyle kicked to reduce the deficit to 14-3 after 19 minutes.
Martin Connolly scored a brilliantly worked team try for Ulster in the 31st minute. Jason Gilliland made an initial break that brought him to within five metres of the opposition try line, the ball was recycled quickly and flyhalf Bokkie Carstens threw a lovely pass to his fullback, Phil Cartmill, who supplied the scoring pass to Connolly. He stepped off his left foot and brilliantly rounded the last two defenders to dot down for Ulster’s third try of the half, making the score 19-3.
However, Connacht had the last say of the first half with another successful penalty kick from Guilfoyle, before right winger James Kennedy popped up on the opposite flank to touch down for a converted score. That meant Ulster led 19-13 at the break.
Ulster had a fantastic start to the second half as Steenson took a quick tap penalty, sidestepped a number of defenders and carried the last tackler over the line for a superb solo try on 42 minutes. He converted his own score to give Ulster some breathing space at 26-13.
Connacht then began to dominate possession and had no hesitation in asking fullback Guilfoyle to go for the posts twice more, both of which he converted (26-19).
Following a period of Connacht pressure, Ulster responded with a penalty from Irwin, who took mom the kicking duties after Steenson was replaced at 9 by Ryan Garrett. That brought the scoreboard to 29-19 with 62 minutes played.
Connacht rallied and threw the ball around, looking to unlock the Ulster defence for the remaining 18 minutes, but The Ulster men stood strong and held on for a fine win in the Newtownards sunshine.
Ulster made a strong start to the game and scored an early try through Marty Irwin. Following an accurate lineout, Ulster moved the ball quickly into midfield and centre Callum Irvine made a half break, offloading to scrumhalf Lee Steenson who then picked out the onrushing Irwin. Steenson was successful with the conversion attempt for a 7-0 lead.
Ulster continued with its positive momentum and soon doubled its advantage. The forwards made some hard yards in midfield, with Paul Greenaway particularly effective, allowing the ball to be moved wide for Irvine crash over. Again, Steenson converted.
Connacht finally got a foothold in the game and forced a penalty, which fullback Ryan Guilfoyle kicked to reduce the deficit to 14-3 after 19 minutes.
Martin Connolly scored a brilliantly worked team try for Ulster in the 31st minute. Jason Gilliland made an initial break that brought him to within five metres of the opposition try line, the ball was recycled quickly and flyhalf Bokkie Carstens threw a lovely pass to his fullback, Phil Cartmill, who supplied the scoring pass to Connolly. He stepped off his left foot and brilliantly rounded the last two defenders to dot down for Ulster’s third try of the half, making the score 19-3.
However, Connacht had the last say of the first half with another successful penalty kick from Guilfoyle, before right winger James Kennedy popped up on the opposite flank to touch down for a converted score. That meant Ulster led 19-13 at the break.
Ulster had a fantastic start to the second half as Steenson took a quick tap penalty, sidestepped a number of defenders and carried the last tackler over the line for a superb solo try on 42 minutes. He converted his own score to give Ulster some breathing space at 26-13.
Connacht then began to dominate possession and had no hesitation in asking fullback Guilfoyle to go for the posts twice more, both of which he converted (26-19).
Following a period of Connacht pressure, Ulster responded with a penalty from Irwin, who took mom the kicking duties after Steenson was replaced at 9 by Ryan Garrett. That brought the scoreboard to 29-19 with 62 minutes played.
Connacht rallied and threw the ball around, looking to unlock the Ulster defence for the remaining 18 minutes, but The Ulster men stood strong and held on for a fine win in the Newtownards sunshine.