Ulster Rugby concluded their Bank of Ireland pre-season programme with an entertaining 45-28 victory over Ospreys on a bright evening at Affidea Stadium.
In an open and fast-paced contest, Richie Murphy's side produced a clinical first-half display, running in five tries before the break to establish a commanding lead that ultimately proved decisive.
Ulster made the perfect start and were on the scoreboard inside three minutes. Following a powerful break from James McNabney deep into Ospreys territory, slick handling from James Hume and Michael Lowry created space out wide for Aitzol Arenzana-King, who finished impressively in the corner. Jack Murphy added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
The hosts doubled their advantage shortly afterwards through Conor McKee. An interception from Murphy sparked the attack before Lowry and Jamie Benson combined to release David McCann down the left wing. McCann was hauled down just short of the line but managed to offload brilliantly for McKee to dive over. Murphy converted again to make it 14-0 after seven minutes.
Ospreys responded through Rhys Davies, who powered over from close range following a sustained spell of pressure, with Harri Wilde converting to reduce the deficit.
Ulster quickly struck back. Benson and Lowry combined once more to move play into the Ospreys 22 before Ben Donnell supplied Arenzana-King, who stepped inside his defender to score his second try of the evening in the corner. The conversion drifted wide, leaving the score at 19-7.
The visitors remained firmly in the contest and narrowed the gap again midway through the half. After kicking to the corner, Ospreys launched a driving maul from the resulting lineout, with hooker Sam Parry peeling off the back to score. Wilde's conversion made it 19-14.
Ulster continued to show plenty of attacking ambition and were rewarded again just before the half-hour mark. Following a well-worked move down the left touchline, James McCormick demonstrated impressive handling skills to put McCann away for Ulster's fourth try. Murphy converted to stretch the lead to 26-14.
The hosts would add a fifth before the interval. After a series of carries close to the Ospreys line, the ball was moved through the backs where Benson found Arenzana-King, who crossed in the corner to complete an impressive first-half hat-trick. Murphy was unable to add the extras, but Ulster headed into the break with a deserved 31-14 advantage.
HT Ulster 31-14 Ospreys
The second half began with Ulster continuing to apply pressure inside the Ospreys 22. Chay Mullins was initially denied in the corner, but moments later the winger got his reward. Quick hands from Murphy, Lowry and Mullins created the opportunity, with the winger finishing well out wide. Murphy converted from the touchline to extend the lead to 38-14.
Ospreys responded just before the hour mark. After securing quick possession from a lineout, the visitors moved the ball through several phases before Luke Morgan sliced through a gap to score. Wilde converted to make it 38-21.
The Welsh side continued to build momentum and reduced the deficit further on 63 minutes. A loose ball following a heavy tackle was hacked forward by Evardi Boshoff, who won the race to touch down. Wilde maintained his perfect record from the tee to bring Ospreys within ten points at 38-28.
With both teams introducing replacements throughout the second half, the contest became a more physical and attritional battle, as players continued to build valuable match fitness ahead of the competitive season.
Ulster had the final say in the closing stages with a number of Academy players on the field.
Mullins grabbed his second try of the night after another well-constructed attack, before replacement Jake Flannery added the conversion to seal a 45-28 victory.
The result completed a positive evening for Ulster, who produced some exciting attacking rugby and finished their pre-season preparations with a convincing win in front of the home support at Affidea Stadium.
FT Ulster 45-28 Ospreys
Bank of Ireland Player of the Match - Michael Lowry
An 80 minute performance from Ulster's captain on the night. Lowry was at the heart of Ulster's best attacking moves, with his footwork, pace, and vision all playing a key role in Ulster's scores.
A constant threat throughout the match and played a key leadership role in helping a young side see out the victory. Magic Mike.
Scorers
Ulster: Tries: Arenzana-King (3), McKee, McCann, Mullins (2).
Cons: Murphy (4), Flannery (1).
Ospreys: Tries: Davies, Parry, Morgan, Boshoff.
Cons: Wilde (4).
Post Match Reaction
Teams
1. Eric O’Sullivan, 2. James McCormick, 3. Eduardo Bello, 4. Ben Donnell, 5. Eli Snyman, 6. David McCann, 7. Martin Moloney, 8. James McNabney, 9. Conor McKee, 10. Jack Murphy, 11. Aitzol Arenzana-King, 12. Jamie Benson, 13. James Hume, 14. Chay Mullins, 15. Michael Lowry (C)
Replacements:
Tom McAllister, Henry Walker, Flynn Longstaff, Harry Sheridan, Joe Hopes, James McKillop, Tom Brigg, Clark Logan, Jake Flannery, Daniel Hawkshaw, Ben Carson
Ospreys
1. Cam Jones, 2. Sam Parry (CC), 3. Rhys Henry, 4. Rhys Davies, 5. Huw Sutton, 6. Liam Wright, 7. Ross Moriarty, 8. Morgan Morris, 9. Luke Davies, 10. Harri Wilde, 11. Keelan Giles, 12. Lalakai Foketi, 13. Owen Watkin (CC), 14. Luke Morgan, 15. Tom Rogers
Replacements:
Steffan Thomas, Lewis Lloyd, Tom Botha, James Ratti, Ben Roberts, Harri Deaves, Gwilym Evans, Morgan Morse, Nick Fisk-Jones, Steffan Jac Jones, Iestyn Hopkins, Keiran Williams, Evardi Boshoff, Harri Houston, Lewis Edwards