Ulster U19s recorded a comprehensive 34-0 win over Italy Academy U18s at Banbridge RFC on Saturday afternoon.
Despite the difficult weather conditions both teams were determined to play attacking rugby throughout the game, with the Ulster team outscoring their opposition by five tries to zero.
The hosts took an early lead with just four minutes on the clock when RBAI winger Mark Keane outpaced his opposite number to run in for a try. Cormac Fox added the extras to put his team into a 7-0 lead.
A second score came midway through the first half when James Hume finished off a flowing move and Fox once again converted.
Seven minutes later the industrious Alexander Clarke put the finishing touches to a well-organised driven maul, following a lineout, when he dotted the ball down over the Italian line. Fox was again on target to increase the Ulster lead to 21-0.
Just before the break Fox made no mistake with a penalty opportunity to give his side a commanding 24-0 advantage.
Both teams made a raft of changes after the break with the Italian team adapting to the conditions. But despite their best intentions they could find no way past the Ulster defence.
In fact, somewhat against the run of play in the early stages of the second period, it was the home team that extended their lead to 29-0 when Keane won a foot race to notch his second try of the day.
The Italian team never gave up and ran the ball from deep on a number of occasions and came close to causing problems for the Ulster team. However, the resilient Ulster team had the final say when Lewis Sampson, making his debut in midfield, ran in for an unconverted try to secure a hard-earned 34-0 victory.
Next up for the Ulster U19 team will be the first of their three-game series of inter-provincial games. They will host Leinster U19s at Osbourne Park, Belfast on Saturday 3rd September (3.00pm).
Despite the difficult weather conditions both teams were determined to play attacking rugby throughout the game, with the Ulster team outscoring their opposition by five tries to zero.
The hosts took an early lead with just four minutes on the clock when RBAI winger Mark Keane outpaced his opposite number to run in for a try. Cormac Fox added the extras to put his team into a 7-0 lead.
A second score came midway through the first half when James Hume finished off a flowing move and Fox once again converted.
Seven minutes later the industrious Alexander Clarke put the finishing touches to a well-organised driven maul, following a lineout, when he dotted the ball down over the Italian line. Fox was again on target to increase the Ulster lead to 21-0.
Just before the break Fox made no mistake with a penalty opportunity to give his side a commanding 24-0 advantage.
Both teams made a raft of changes after the break with the Italian team adapting to the conditions. But despite their best intentions they could find no way past the Ulster defence.
In fact, somewhat against the run of play in the early stages of the second period, it was the home team that extended their lead to 29-0 when Keane won a foot race to notch his second try of the day.
The Italian team never gave up and ran the ball from deep on a number of occasions and came close to causing problems for the Ulster team. However, the resilient Ulster team had the final say when Lewis Sampson, making his debut in midfield, ran in for an unconverted try to secure a hard-earned 34-0 victory.
Next up for the Ulster U19 team will be the first of their three-game series of inter-provincial games. They will host Leinster U19s at Osbourne Park, Belfast on Saturday 3rd September (3.00pm).