Ulster Schools dominated their Connacht counterparts to secure a 53-0 win at Ballinasloe RFC on Saturday afternoon. They secured the four try bonus point by half time and added another four after the break in the comprehensive win.
It took just one minute for Ulster to open the scoring as a midfield drive by Zach Jordan set up try for Robert Lyttle, which he converted himself. Ulster pressurised the Connacht scrum which forced a penalty for Lyttle to slot over for a 10-0 lead. Good handling in midfield created space for a converted try for Conor Field midway through the first half.
The visitors added a third on the half hour mark when Fergus Jemphrey forced his way over after good carries by Jonny McKeown and Ben Pentland. Lyttle sealed the bonus point just before the break with his second try of the game, Matthew McDowell adding the conversion for a 29-0 half time lead.
The fifth touch down followed just two minutes after the interval as Jemphrey raced in from 40 metres out. Conor Kelly then broke from his own 22 and ran 80m to touch down, allowing Lyttle to extend the lead to 41-0 with his conversion.
With ten minutes left on the clock, a Conor Field break set up good field position and after several phases Ben O'Reilly drove over for a try which McDowell converted. Jack Howard finished the scoring shortly after when he got on the end Joel McBride’s neat grubber kick.
The coaching staff and players will be delighted with the result but will expect a much tougher task next week away to Leinster (Saturday 13th September, St. Mary’s RFC, 2.30pm). They will then host Munster at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday 20th September, kick off 3.30pm. Tickets for that game can be pre-purchased online by CLICKING HERE.
Ulster U19s 24 Connacht U19s 17
Ulster U19s fought hard against a resolute Connacht team to secure a bonus point win 24-17 at Belfast Harlequins RFC.
Jonny Rossborough, Matt Fisher, Andrew Cordosi and Adam McBurney scored the tries, two of which were converted by Gareth Millar.
Connacht responded with scores from Andrew Lynch and patrick daly, while Simon Keller added seven points with the boot.
The boys host Leinster at Belfast Harlequins RFC next Saturday (2.30pm) before travelling to Cork for their final fixture.