Ulster opened their Junior Inter-pro Series with a 20-3 win over reigning champions Munster at Randalstown RFC on Saturday.
For new Head Coach Richard Boyd and his assistants Robert Ford and Michael Ferguson, six weeks of intensive preparation would test the resolve of his young playing squad against a Munster team who are traditionally renowned for their abrasive and physical style of rugby.
Led by Captain Chris Nash, the Ulster forwards imposed themselves on their opposition pack in the first quarter, with the lineout working well thanks to good work by Coleraine forwards Josh Christie and Brian Hughes.
The large crowd had to wait 28 minutes for the first points of the game. Scrumhalf Allen McCluggage was aware of the space in behind the Munster defence, his kick turned their cover and Grosvenor winger Mitchell McComb showed his football skills and pace to touch down for an excellent try. McCluggage adding the points to give Ulster a well deserved 7 - 0 lead.
Boyd made use of his bench by introducing forwards Alan Ferguson, Toby Mannus and Jason Gilliland as the Ulster forwards continued to dominate their Munster counterparts.
But Munster responded when outhalf John Lillis converted 1 of 2 penalty attempts to bring the score to 7-3.
Ulster centre Mike Poskitt was off target with a difficult penalty effort on the halftime whistle.
Despite a swirling wind in the first half the conditions appeared to favour Ulster as the second half kicked off.
It was a case of Ulster gaining the initiative early in the half, with McCluggage kicking two penalties to increase his team’s lead to 13-3 after 50 minutes.
The Ulster back row of Hughes, Andy McKeen and the formidable Andrew Kelly at number 8, was getting through an enormous amount of work both in defence and attack.
With just minutes remaining, Ulster got their reward when second row Christie showed his athleticism to brush aside Munster centre Eoin O'Dwyer and storm in from the 22 metre line for a well-deserved try. McCluggage added the points to leave the final score reading 20-3.
This was an excellent performance by Ulster, with the forwards outplaying their opponents to set up this win. The team and the replacements played with a tempo and commitment that Munster could not match.
Ulster travel to Ballina to play Connacht next Saturday before a trip to Longford to play Leinster.
Leinster defeated Connacht 15-14 at Newbridge RFC in their opening match.
For new Head Coach Richard Boyd and his assistants Robert Ford and Michael Ferguson, six weeks of intensive preparation would test the resolve of his young playing squad against a Munster team who are traditionally renowned for their abrasive and physical style of rugby.
Led by Captain Chris Nash, the Ulster forwards imposed themselves on their opposition pack in the first quarter, with the lineout working well thanks to good work by Coleraine forwards Josh Christie and Brian Hughes.
The large crowd had to wait 28 minutes for the first points of the game. Scrumhalf Allen McCluggage was aware of the space in behind the Munster defence, his kick turned their cover and Grosvenor winger Mitchell McComb showed his football skills and pace to touch down for an excellent try. McCluggage adding the points to give Ulster a well deserved 7 - 0 lead.
Boyd made use of his bench by introducing forwards Alan Ferguson, Toby Mannus and Jason Gilliland as the Ulster forwards continued to dominate their Munster counterparts.
But Munster responded when outhalf John Lillis converted 1 of 2 penalty attempts to bring the score to 7-3.
Ulster centre Mike Poskitt was off target with a difficult penalty effort on the halftime whistle.
Despite a swirling wind in the first half the conditions appeared to favour Ulster as the second half kicked off.
It was a case of Ulster gaining the initiative early in the half, with McCluggage kicking two penalties to increase his team’s lead to 13-3 after 50 minutes.
The Ulster back row of Hughes, Andy McKeen and the formidable Andrew Kelly at number 8, was getting through an enormous amount of work both in defence and attack.
With just minutes remaining, Ulster got their reward when second row Christie showed his athleticism to brush aside Munster centre Eoin O'Dwyer and storm in from the 22 metre line for a well-deserved try. McCluggage added the points to leave the final score reading 20-3.
This was an excellent performance by Ulster, with the forwards outplaying their opponents to set up this win. The team and the replacements played with a tempo and commitment that Munster could not match.
Ulster travel to Ballina to play Connacht next Saturday before a trip to Longford to play Leinster.
Leinster defeated Connacht 15-14 at Newbridge RFC in their opening match.