ULSTER EARNED A hard-fought 13-10 victory over Connacht in the Guinness Pro12 encounter in Belfast this evening.
Winger Craig Gilroy gave his side the advantage with a try early on, crossing over on 20 minutes, meaning the hosts went in at half-time 10-3 ahead.
Paddy Jackson’s second penalty of the evening after the break extended their advantage, but an Aly Muldowney 67th-minute try — converted by Jack Carty — ensured a tense finish.
Connacht heaped further pressure on their opponents in the dying stages, however Ulster held on for a victory, sending them above Leinster into fourth place in the Pro12 table as a result.
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In difficult conditions, a penalty apiece from Jackson and Carty kept the sides’ level in the opening few minutes, with the former making up for a miss earlier in the game.
Gilroy then scored the game’s first try, evading a number of Connacht players before diving over, having been set up by Jackson.
After some initial Ulster pressure in the second half, the visitors rallied, and were rewarded with 13 minutes remaining, when Muldowney capitalised after a strong drive from the Connacht forwards.
Nevertheless, it was too little too late for Pat Lam’s side, as Ulster defended manfully in the remaining minutes to secure a morale-boosting three-point win.
Ulster scorers:
Try:Craig Gilroy
Conversions:Paddy Jackson
Penalties:Paddy Jackson (2)
Connacht scorers:
Try: Aly Muldowney
Conversions: Jack Carty
Penalties: Jack Carty
ULSTER: Louis Ludik; Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Stuart Olding, Peter Nelson; Paddy Jackson; Paul Marshall; Callum Black, Rob Herring, Wiehahn Herbst; Dan Tuohy, Franco van der Merwe; Robbie Diack, Clive Ross, Roger Wilson (captain).
Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Declan Fitzpatrick, Alan O’Connor, Sean Reidy, Michael Heaney, Ian Humphreys, Michael Allen.
CONNACHT: Darragh Leader; Danie Poolman, Bundee Aki, Dave McSharry, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, John Cooney; Ronan Loughney, Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham; Quinn Roux, Aly Muldowney; John Muldoon (captain), Willie Faloon, George Naoupu.
Ulster prevail despite late Connacht fightback
Ulster 13
Connacht 10
ULSTER EARNED A hard-fought 13-10 victory over Connacht in the Guinness Pro12 encounter in Belfast this evening.
Winger Craig Gilroy gave his side the advantage with a try early on, crossing over on 20 minutes, meaning the hosts went in at half-time 10-3 ahead.
Paddy Jackson’s second penalty of the evening after the break extended their advantage, but an Aly Muldowney 67th-minute try — converted by Jack Carty — ensured a tense finish.
Connacht heaped further pressure on their opponents in the dying stages, however Ulster held on for a victory, sending them above Leinster into fourth place in the Pro12 table as a result.
In difficult conditions, a penalty apiece from Jackson and Carty kept the sides’ level in the opening few minutes, with the former making up for a miss earlier in the game.
Gilroy then scored the game’s first try, evading a number of Connacht players before diving over, having been set up by Jackson.
After some initial Ulster pressure in the second half, the visitors rallied, and were rewarded with 13 minutes remaining, when Muldowney capitalised after a strong drive from the Connacht forwards.
Nevertheless, it was too little too late for Pat Lam’s side, as Ulster defended manfully in the remaining minutes to secure a morale-boosting three-point win.
ULSTER: Louis Ludik; Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Stuart Olding, Peter Nelson; Paddy Jackson; Paul Marshall; Callum Black, Rob Herring, Wiehahn Herbst; Dan Tuohy, Franco van der Merwe; Robbie Diack, Clive Ross, Roger Wilson (captain).
Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Declan Fitzpatrick, Alan O’Connor, Sean Reidy, Michael Heaney, Ian Humphreys, Michael Allen.
CONNACHT: Darragh Leader; Danie Poolman, Bundee Aki, Dave McSharry, Matt Healy; Jack Carty, John Cooney; Ronan Loughney, Tom McCartney, Finlay Bealham; Quinn Roux, Aly Muldowney; John Muldoon (captain), Willie Faloon, George Naoupu.
Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Denis Buckley, Rodney Ah You, Ultan Dillane, Eoghan Masterson, Kieran Marmion, Craig Ronaldson, Mils Muliaina.
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Guinness PRO12 Connacht Craig Gilroy jack carty Leinster Paddy Jackson tight Ulster