Ulster finally got this season’s Scottish monkey off their back with a comfortable 21 -13 victory over Edinburgh at a windy Ravenhill on Friday night. Tries from Cave and Boss underlined Ulster’s superiority with Humphrey adding a conversion and two penalties before O’Connor wrapped up the victory with a penalty in the closing minutes.
Playing into a strong gusting wind in the first half Ulster opted to take the ball to Edinburgh through the forwards and time after time they worked their way up field only to be pinned back in their own half with Edinburgh taking advantage of the conditions. However with Ulster controlling possession they did exceptionally well to keep the Scottish outfit scoreless until the 22nd minute when Patterson guided over his first penalty.
Ulster responded almost immediately with a cracking try from Cave after good work by Trimble, Boss and Tuohy. The move started with Trimble surging into the Edinburgh half after making a try saving interception. The ball was quickly recycled and Boss made a couple of darts to keep Edinburgh on the back foot and his pass to Tuohy found the big second row in a bit of space where he fixed the defence before sending Darren Cave through for Ulster’s opening score.
With nerves now settled Ulster looked in complete control for the remainder of the half and despite conceding another penalty to the unerring boot of Patterson there was an air of confidence blustering around Ravenhill at half time with Ulster turning round only one point behind at 5 – 6.
With the wind at their back in the second half Ulster briefly sniffed the chance of a bonus point win when Boss dummied to split the defence and strolled in under the posts for Ulster’s second try. Humphreys added the conversion to his earlier penalty and Ulster had the game in the bag with the score 15 – 6. Unfortunately a harsh sin-binning of a rampaging Ferris took the wind out of Ulster’s sails and taking advantage the hard working Edinburgh side forced their way over for a deserved try taking the score to 15-13.
Ulster settled their nerves with another Humphreys penalty before bringing on the boot of O’Connor to close out the game which Ulster achieved with a degree of ease. O’Connor added the final penalty in the closing minutes to deny the visitors a bonus point giving the score line a more accurate reflection of Ulster’s superior play with the game finishing 21 – 13.
Ulster’s performance was more clinical than spectacular and credit must go to the coaching staff who read the conditions and the ebb and flow of the game well. Boss always looks at his best when he can snipe around the edges and all credit to the pack for giving him plenty of opportunities as they tore into their opponents. They really are starting to look an impressive unit and could be Ulster’s ace in the hole should they qualify for the final rounds of either European competition. I’ve eulogised enough about Tuohy, O’Donoghue and the back row in the past so special mention this week goes to young Jamie Smith who played a vital role in Ulster’s win. His willingness, and more than likely his instruction, to run everything back at Edinburgh in the first half put real limitations on the Scottish sides game plan. The fact that he consistently made ground and was always well supported spoke volumes not only for his enthusiasm but also for his mature reading of what was in font of him. A bold selection and definitely one that paid off.
The win moves Ulster to the top of Pool 4 level on points with Stade Francais and all attention now turns to Saturday’s fixture between the French giants and Bath and to tell the truth I’m in two minds as to how I hope that match turns out.
On one hand a win for Bath will present Ulster with a realistic chance of topping the group and qualifying for the Heineken Cup knock out stages. On the other hand a Bath win gives the English side something to play for with a realistic chance of qualifying for the latter rounds of the Challenge Cup. Now I’m fairly confident that Ulster will turn over the Bath side and at this point in time Ulster are simply the better side, but the pressure of Heiny qualification with a first time win on English soil in this competition could possibly prove too much for our young side. I’d be much happier if Ulster travelled to England with the hosts out of the running altogether and Ulster assured of at least a place in the Challenge Cup with the outside chance of Heineken Cup qualification should Edinburgh do a number on Stade. If Ulster fail to qualify for business end of either competition it would be a severe dent to their season. And so the pressure begins!
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