Ospreys 31-20 Ulster
ULSTER PRODUCED A late rally at the Liberty Stadium but it was ultimately too little, too late as they slipped to a 31-20 defeat to the Ospreys in the Guinness Pro12.
Tries from replacement prop Rob Herring and then Tommy Bowe gave Neil Doak’s side a glimmer of hope in the final quarter but the deficit was too big to overturn as Ulster slipped to their second defeat in Wales in consecutive weeks.
After a mistake-riddled first-half, during which Ulster made a series of inexcusable errors, the game was decided with two contentious Television Match Official decisions either side of the interval.
Tries from Dan Biggar and Rhys Webb had opened up a significant lead for the Ospreys but it had seemed Ulster had given themselves a lifeline in the half’s last act when Ian Humphreys capitalised on a rare Ospreys handling error to touch down under the posts.
However, after the TMO initially adjudged there was no evidence to overrule the referee’s original decision, an intervention from Nigel Owens – standing as touch judge – led Neil Paterson to go back upstairs.
Eventually, the correct decision was made as an Ulster player had clearly knocked-on in the build-up but the manner in the way the decision came about did little to instil much confidence in the officials.
Then, minutes after the restart, Tim Hayes was called upon again. Eli Walker appeared to lose the ball forward in contact as he beared down on the line before Justin Tipuric kept the ball alive for Webb to score his second try.
After much deliberation, the officials came to the conclusion that the ball didn’t go forward and the score was legitimate. It is on such decisions that games invariably hinge and for all their mistakes, Ulster were on the wrong end of a poor one.
Nevertheless, their overall performance left a lot to be desired and the visitors could have few complaints with the result.
The Ospreys dominated proceedings from the outset and got their just rewards with a fourth try and a bonus point just before the hour mark as Hanno Dirksen powered his way over.
Ulster did respond but they were the the architects of their own downfall with another sub-standard display.
Biggar kicked the Welsh side into an early lead before Humphreys levelled matters with a penalty of his own.
But, Ulster’s disjointed defence was soon exposed by some exquisite handling by the hosts. Ospreys remained patient and Biggar’s offload to Alyn Wyn-Jones cut through the line of white shirts before the out-half finished off the move.
If the first try was soft, the second one was a Christmas gift. Humphreys opted to clear with his weaker right foot but only skied his clearance into midfield. Ospreys, once again, recycled possession, stretching Ulster’s defence before Marc Thomas’ offload created the opening for Webb.
Ospreys started the second period just as they did the first but were fortunate to create further daylight between themselves and Ulster with the TMO’s dubious call. There was nothing fortunate about their fourth as South African Dirksen completed another fine set piece.
Ulster added some gloss to the scoreboard but that will be of little consolation as Ospreys move to the top of the Pro12 standings. For Ulster, it’s back to the drawing board ahead of back-to-back inter-provincal clashes over the Christmas period.
They’ll be desperately hoping for some festive cheer to lift spirits.
Ospreys scorers:Tries: Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb (2), Hanno DirksenConversions: Dan Biggar (4)
Penalties: Dan Biggar [2 from 2]
Ulster scorers:
Tries: Rob Herring, Tommy Bowe
Conversions: Ian Humphreys (2)
Penalties: Ian Humphreys [2 from 2]
Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Hanno Dirksen, 13 Ashley Beck, 12 Josh Matavesi, 11 Eli Walker, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Rhys Webb; 1 Marc Thomas, 2 Scott Baldwin, 3 Dmitri Arhip, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (capt), 6 James King, 7 Justin Tipuric, 8 Tyler Ardron.
Replacements: 16 Sam Parry, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Daniel Suter, 19 Dan Lydiate, 20 Sam Lewis, 21 Martin Roberts, 22 Sam Davies, 23 Andrew Bishop.
Ulster: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Mike Allen, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 1 Andrew Warwick, 2 Rory Best (capt), 3 Declan Fitzpatrick, 4 Dan Tuohy, 5 Franco vd Merwe, 6 Robbie Diack, 7 Clive Ross, 8 Roger Wilson.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Callum Black, 18 Bronson Ross, 19 Alan O’Connor, 20 Sean Reidy, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Stuart Olding, 23 Peter Nelson.
Referee: Neil Paterson (Scotland)
Same old Mayo. Kicking deplorable wides, dominating at times but not making it count, zero composure, gifting the opposition a goal – and then a moan about the referee.
@Aidan Farrell: Not even wides a lot of the time, but feeble little under-10 shots that the keeper could catch with his chest.
It all sounds like sour grapes. He made reference to the tackle count of 13-1. Well deserved. Fortunate not to be more in kerrys favour. Also, that mayo are 1 of the best defensive teams in the country, so why present “pictures” to the referee? Horse manure talk. He never mentioned the punch to the back of the head that O Donoghue gave Geaney @ the end and never said it was an advertisement to never watch garlic football again. Needless to say, I’m not from mayo.
@Diarmuid Concannon: I’d tend to agree. Clifford was man handled every time he got the ball, and indeed, on many occasions when he didn’t even have the ball. In fact, I think the referee was very generous to the mayo defence not to flash a yellow sooner than the 67th minute.
@Diarmuid Concannon: a bit of a double entendres there where people are moaning about someone moaning, quiet funny when one thinks about it.
@Diarmuid Concannon: foul on Geaney was nasty
It’s great when a manager speaks his mind and not going with the scripted robotic drab that most managers and players give to the media these days in case social medial warriors come out in force to condemn what they say. Fair dues Kevin, and I think there’s a lot of truth in what he said too.
Ridiculous comments by McStay. The defenders simply could not handle Clifford. The man handling was ridiculous. Clifford missed several scoring attempts, but Mayo’s defence was very poor.
@Aidan Cullinane: mayo were never going to win the league final day always find a way to lose how many finals now
David Clifford is a modern day great. Meanwhile Kevin McStay is an extremely sore loser. Always has been. To say a player “can’t always be out in front” as a team manager in todays game tells you all you need to know about the level he should be at
Poor old mayo not good enough as usual when it matters end of !
Yes Kevin, do have a good luck at how your team tries to tackle, and have a look at Aiden O Shea who wasn’t ticked for any of his attempts, your better off learning how to tackle a player, show your team and stop moaning
When Tipp u21 complained about Referee in all Ireland a couple of years ago McStay said they were whining little apples
Army Cadet.
St Clifford got it easy today deliberately blocked keepers quick kick out, a yellow for most mere motals then hit the keeper with a late match-ending tackle a definite yellow, but not even a card , a very poor days refereeing by Coldrick.
@Paul Kelly: That was a yellow card so therefore a free to Kerry. Unnecessary and daft from the Mayo keeper. Per rule you can shoulder a player without the ball provided you’re both going in the direction of the ball. Clifford was not going in the direction of the ball.
Mayo would want to start kicking the ball, stop playing basketball around the D area and stop being afraid to shoot when in a scoring position. It’s scores that win matches not possession.
Absolutely comical watching these Mayo handballers taking free kicks from the hand from relatively easy scoring positions and kicking wide. No football skills or football brains in that Mayo side whatsoever. My advice to the Mayo setup would be to go and watch a few games of school boys or school girls soccer matches and learn how free kicks are taken properly with a round ball.
@Leonard Barry: No need to watch soccer just watch D & P Clifford or S O’Shea. If they don’t like watching Kerry try Sam Mulroy or Con O’Callaghan
@Leonard Barry: Like a good man will you explain what exactly soccer has to do with gaelic football and while your at it give us the name of the team you are guiding with your football brains and skills,probably a boy’s or girl’s school soccer team