A strong second half performance yielded 24 points as tries from Connor Young, Adam Liddell, Jack Owens and Lorcan Dow sealed a 27-7 win for the home side.
Ulster were dominant for much of the first half but failed to convert a number of scoring opportunities, including two penalty attempts from Sean O’Hagan. However the outhalf, who featured for the Ulster senior side against Exeter Chief in pre-season, opened the scoring with a 20th minute penalty.
Connacht, under consistent pressure, were forced to concede a number of penalties at the breakdown and the referee finally lost patience, showing Cian Romaine a yellow card five minutes before the break. This provided Ulster with more impetus but after a number of excellent phases, O’Hagan’s pass to Liddell went to ground when the winger had the line at his mercy.
Half time score: Ulster 3 Connacht 0
Young brought the game to life just minutes into the second half with a fine individual try. The Instonians scrumhalf broke from a ruck just outside the Connacht 22 and rounded opposition fullback Anthony McGivney to dot down under the posts. O’Hagan converted for a ten point lead.
Visiting outhalf Aidan Moynihan was then unsuccessful with two penalty attempts, the second of which rattled the left upright. Connacht claimed possession from the rebound and almost scored in the corner, but for an excellent man and ball tackle from Jacob Stockdale. The visitors continued to attack and number 8 Stephen McVeigh powered his way over from a five metre scrum. Moynihan added the extras to reduce the deficit to 10-7.
The hosts responded in emphatic fashion with a superb try moments later. The forwards set the platform with a strong scrum in midfield before O’Hagan’s perfectly timed pass put Liddell in space. The Malone man finished superbly and O’Hagan converted to regain a ten point advantage.
By this stage the Ulster backs had found their rhythm and just 60 seconds later fullback Jack Owens scored his team’s third try from a excellent counter attacking run. O’Hagan’s conversion drifted wide but Ulster now led 22-7.
Ulster continued to apply pressure and were rewarded when number 8 Lorcan Dow touched down in the dying seconds from the base of a dominant scrum. That unconverted try sealed the bonus point right on the full time whistle.
The U20s host Leinster next Saturday (13th September) at Kingspan Stadium (4.00pm kick off) before travelling to take on Munster the Cork the following week.
Ticket’s for next week’s game can be purchased here.