The Ravens, sponsored by CD Group, fell to a narrow defeat to interprovincial rivals, Connacht Eagles, in their first outing of the 2014/15 season.
(John Andrew receives his man of the match award from CD Group's Ken Knox)
The Ravens, sponsored by CD Group, fell to a narrow defeat to interprovincial rivals, Connacht Eagles, in their first outing of the 2014/15 season.
Eoghan Masterson splashed over for the visitors on 6 minutes to give Connacht an early advantage. Shane O’Leary made no mistake with the conversion to give the Eagles a 7-0 lead.
However, the Ravens hit back quickly. Slick hands from the backs and a nice offload from Michael Allen to Ross Adair put the left winger clear and he dived over in the corner to score the home team’s first try of the match.
Outhalf, Sean O’Hagan, failed to convert, but even better was to come for the Ravens. Jack Owens gave them the lead following great work by Luke Marshall who created space to set him free. O’Hagan added the extras to put Ulster into a 12-7 lead.
Connacht Eagles hit back strongly and put Ulster under pressure in their own 22. After conceding a series of penalties, referee David Wilkinson, sin-binned Jack Owens for a hands in the ruck.
(John Andrew receives his man of the match award from CD Group's Ken Knox)
With Ulster down to 14 men, Masterson and Peter Robb almost created a second score for Connacht in the 35th minute. They broke from their own line and were halted 5 metres from the Ulster try line.
In injury time in the first half prop Dave Ryan, who joined Ulster in the summer from Zebre, made a great break. He was supported by Neil McComb who offloaded to Jack Owens. The Ulster winger did well to stretch for the line and score.
O’Hagan converted to leave Ulster with a strong 19-7 lead at the interval.
Half Time Ulster Ravens 19 – Connacht Eagles 7
The Eagles started the second half as they began the first – with a try. Scrum half Caolin Blade dived over from short range for an unconverted try.
That made it 19-12 but the Eagles drew level with ten minutes remaining when Ciaran Gaffney went over in the right hand corner.
Conor McKeon added the extras this time for the visitors landing a difficult kick from the touchline.
That made it 19 all but two minutes later, the Ravens went ahead again. A superb individual effort from centre Sam Arnold gave the home team a 24-19 advantage.
However, in injury time there was joy for the Eagles as centre Peter Robb scored to level the match before McKeon held his nerve to kick the winning conversion.
The Ravens had one final chance to win the match but O’Hagan’s drop goal was missed meaning the victory was Connacht’s.
The Ravens start their British & Irish Cup campaign against with an away trip to Aberavon on Saturday 11th October. In Round 2 they host Yorkshire Carnegie at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday 18th October (2.00pm).
Ulster Ravens team v Connacht A
(15-9): Ricky Andrew; Jack Owens, Michael Allen, Luke Marshall, Ross Adair; Sean O’Hagan, David Shanahan; (1-8): Callum Black, John Andrew, Dave Ryan, John Donnan, Neil McComb, Sean Reidy, Clive Ross, Mike McComish;
Replacements: Kyle McCall, Johnny Murphy, Ricky Lutton, James Simpson, Frankie Taggart, John Creighton, Josh Bingham, Sam Arnold, Ryan Campbell, Jonny Rosborough, Charlie Butterworth.