TOMMY BOWE SCORED two tries as Ulster secured a comfortable 38-8 victory over Newport Gwent Dragons in the RaboDirect Pro12 at Ravenhill this evening.
The game was effectively over at half-time, with the Irish side establishing a 31-3 lead, thanks to scores from Bowe (2), Ruan Pienaar and a penalty try, with Paddy Jackson kicking four conversions.
Ross Wardle did manage to cross over the line for the visitors, however it proved to be little more than a consolation.
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The opening try came after a fine run from Darren Cave, who passed for Pienaar to cross over, with the same player having already opened the scoring with a penalty.
The South African then turned provider, as he set up Bowe, who found space in the visitors’ defence and exploited it to maximum effect for the second try of the evening.
Bowe then scored his second and Ulster’s third two minutes later, as he brushed off opposition tackles and showed some dynamic pace to cross over again.
A yellow card for loosehead Owen Evans didn’t help the visitors’ cause, as Ulster secured a bonus point before half-time, as they were awarded a penalty try.
The second half was similarly comfortable, with Sean Doyle claiming the home side’s fifth try and Paddy Jackson retaining his 100% record with the boot, before Wardle capitalised on Ulster taking their foot off the pedal towards the end to score Newport’s sole try.
There was one sour note for the Irish side though, as Luke Marshall was forced off injured in the first half, with the extent of the damage yet to be revealed.
Meanwhile, in the evening’s other Pro12 encounter, Edinburgh earned a hard-fought 31-25 victory against Ospreys.
Tommy Bowe stakes claim for Ireland place as Ulster ease to victory
Updated at 22.07
TOMMY BOWE SCORED two tries as Ulster secured a comfortable 38-8 victory over Newport Gwent Dragons in the RaboDirect Pro12 at Ravenhill this evening.
The game was effectively over at half-time, with the Irish side establishing a 31-3 lead, thanks to scores from Bowe (2), Ruan Pienaar and a penalty try, with Paddy Jackson kicking four conversions.
Ross Wardle did manage to cross over the line for the visitors, however it proved to be little more than a consolation.
The opening try came after a fine run from Darren Cave, who passed for Pienaar to cross over, with the same player having already opened the scoring with a penalty.
The South African then turned provider, as he set up Bowe, who found space in the visitors’ defence and exploited it to maximum effect for the second try of the evening.
Bowe then scored his second and Ulster’s third two minutes later, as he brushed off opposition tackles and showed some dynamic pace to cross over again.
A yellow card for loosehead Owen Evans didn’t help the visitors’ cause, as Ulster secured a bonus point before half-time, as they were awarded a penalty try.
The second half was similarly comfortable, with Sean Doyle claiming the home side’s fifth try and Paddy Jackson retaining his 100% record with the boot, before Wardle capitalised on Ulster taking their foot off the pedal towards the end to score Newport’s sole try.
There was one sour note for the Irish side though, as Luke Marshall was forced off injured in the first half, with the extent of the damage yet to be revealed.
Meanwhile, in the evening’s other Pro12 encounter, Edinburgh earned a hard-fought 31-25 victory against Ospreys.
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Guinness PRO12 Ireland Paddy Jackson ross wardle Newport Dragons Tommy Bowe Ulster Winning