IT WAS A telling moment when Jacob Stockdale walked in from touch holding the ball high like the spoils of war, before spiking it with venom.
Relief. Vindication.
Wings in an aggressive defence always tread along a knife-edge of risk and reward. It rarely comes with quite as much drama as it did in the closing phases at The Rec this afternoon.
After botching their time-keeping on their final line-out, Dan McFarland’s defence had to withstand one last almighty Bath onslaught with just a 16-17 lead to hold on to.
Bath were brave, shunning a slow roll towards a drop-goal attempt in favour of a wide raid across Ulster’s 22. Stockdale shot up to close off the space, but Bath found a way around around him and Zach Mercer romped away towards what appeared a certain try.
Absolutely incredible finish at the Rec!
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 16, 2019
Jacob Stockdale stopping a certain try with a sensational interception!
Bath 16-17 Ulster.
What a win for @UlsterRugby!#BATvULS #ChampionsCup #VMTVRugby pic.twitter.com/KvW9d5XTTf
The game-saver, though, was Stockdale. The Ireland wing didn’t take a heavy contact after shooting up and immediately spun on his heels, racing back and somehow propelling himself towards the ball as it left Mercer’s hands towards the expectant Semesa Rokoduguni.
Blushes spared, four points sealed and perhaps even a season saved.
Why is there a Hollywood star in the picture lads?
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: Didn’t go for glory at the end either, just passed the ball on to COB to put the game away. Israel Folau should take note.
@#JUSTICE4NOEL: sporting icon
Fair play to Leinster, it got sticky in a game that should have been straight forward but they hung in there and got the job done and came home with the bonus point win. There were some very average performances in the first half, especially from the all international front row who were all outplayed but the half time chat got them all more focussed. Fardy did well and Deegan put in some big numbers. Thought o brien did well at 12 too and so did Gibson Park. Perfect result for Cullen, maximum points but plenty of work ons for the young lads come Monday morning.
Porter is one of the most overrated players at the moment. Has little to no influence over a game and is average at best. Without bias to munster I would put him below stephen archer
@The_Muffin_Man: good joke im sure stephen archer is in the ireland squad too
@The_Muffin_Man: well for the bench, Ryan a better all round option maybe.
@The_Muffin_Man: about time someone called this. Porter is really struggling for form at the moment and it’s a worry if Furlong gets injured. The gulf is massive
@The_Muffin_Man: what absolute shite talk. Porter is still firmly 2 for Ireland.
@The_Muffin_Man: I cringe watching him trot around the park. Nothing in open play but excellent in the scrum.
@The_Muffin_Man: 1 bad game, he is a class ahead of Ryan. Deluded
Carty has to start against Italy
@Anthony: why?
@Jim Demps: Because he’s a Connacht player and Anthony is extremely biased towards Connacht players.
@Ian Verdon: had he led with Ultan Dillane, he would have snapped up 50 recs by now. Dillane was outstanding. Looks like he’s really enjoying his rugby.
@grandslamkbo: Yeah dillane is back to his destructive best, it’s brilliant to see. His carriers were so explosive tonight and I would love him to start against Italy.
@Ian Verdon: haha keep biting lads lol
Lucky lucky boys
@rowan hill: A lucky 16 point, 6 try win away? I’ll take it!
@Oval Digest: Yep. They really dicked about in those 10 minutes before half time. Lost composure everywhere and the state of that Dave Kearney ‘tackle’ for the 3rd Zebre try!! Their conference is as good as over but some of the players are trying to get back in the national squad. They need to do much better. But, like you, I’ll take it. Plenty of home games left aswell.
10 points from securing 1st place at this stage. The league is brutal at stages (teams not sending teams to win away) tied in with Leinster being very good in others.
Watched it again, COB , Doris, deagan and moloney where all very good.
The best player on the pitch was JGP. His box kicks were very good and not for the first time this season set up a box kick and sniped a sneaky pass from the base allowing massive yards
You might aswell have called them “Zebra”