Darren Cave scores Ulster's third try.
A much improved performance from Ulster saw them continue their winning streak to make it a third victory in a row last night, and storm their way to the top of the League.
The first points of the evening went to the home side just two minutes after kick-off, when O’Connor’s cross-field kick landed in the arms of Andrew Trimble. Trimble, who made a welcome return to rugby last night, shrugged off a tackle from Edinburgh winger Mark Robertson, before sprinting over the try line. O’Connor’s conversion was slightly wide of the posts, leaving the score Ulster 5 – Edinburgh 0.
The supporters’ celebrations were cut short when it looked like Edinburgh were about to be awarded a try of their own. Pushing their way to Ulster’s 22 immediately after the restart, the visitors’ continued their pressure until an Ulster infringement on eight minutes, allowed Chris Paterson to slot an easy penalty over the posts. Ulster 5 – Edinburgh 3.
Edinburgh were penalised twice in the following five minutes, giving Ulster the chance to widen the points gap, but unfortunately a wayward kick from O’Connor meant only his second attempt was on target and he took the score to Ulster 8 – Edinburgh 3.
The second quarter of the match got underway with Ulster staying controlled and progressing their way towards Edinburgh’s try line through a series of good recycling. A long pass from O’Connor to Whitten on the right wing, sent him flying into the corner to touch down Ulster’s second – and unconverted – try of the night. Ulster 13 – Edinburgh 3.
Paterson responded on 27 minutes with a penalty, after Ulster failed to roll away from a tackle, narrowing the gap to Ulster 13 – Edinburgh 6. As half-time loomed, Ulster conceded another penalty but luckily for the team Paterson’s attempt was wide, leaving the scoreboard unchanged.
Three minutes into the second half witnessed Edinburgh penalised for being offside, and O’Connor made no mistake with his kick, as he stretched Ulster’s lead by 10 points. However Tim Visser powered his way through a number of Ulster players to score the Scots’ first try of the match, just three minutes later. Phil Godman, who replaced Paterson at half-time, successfully converted the try, leaving the score agonisingly close at Ulster 16 – Edinburgh 13.
Although Edinburgh staged an impressive comeback, flanker Scott Newlands was sent to the sin bin for slowing down the ball, allowing O’Connor to put his team slightly further into the lead: 19 – 13 to the home side.
Both teams swapped penalties, bringing the score to Ulster 22 – Edinburgh 16 as the match wore on, but as with Ulster’s previous two matches, they failed to fully capitalise playing against fourteen men, despite being in the oppositions half for ten minutes. With their chances of scoring unrewarded, O’Connor chose a kick at goal on 68 minutes, which missed the target.
The 70 minute mark was what it took to get the game rolling again, when centre Darren Cave broke through the Scottish defence and scored a superb solo try, which was then successfully converted by O’Connor, stretching Ulster’s lead to 29 – 16.
Ulster only needed one more try to bag a bonus point, but Edinburgh refused to let that happen, as they tightened their defence before letting Ben Cairns power through Ulster to score a try. Godman missed the conversion, taking the score to Ulster 29 – Edinburgh 21 and as the final whistle blew, Ulster’s dream of a fourth try was in vain.
Thoughts on the game?
Despite a number of changes to the squad that defeated Aironi last week, it was a much better performance from Ulster.
The team are continuing to work together and seem to be ‘gelling’ well – long may it last!
Obviously, there were still errors to be found throughout their play, but on the whole there were a lot fewer than the previous match.
A number of players stood out last night, such as Marshall for his try-saving tackle against Edinburgh and also the number of breaks he made during the game. Trimble also played exceptionally well on his return and showed everyone just how great a player he really is.
The only negative I do have, would be the opportunities Ulster failed to capitalise on and try to add to their score tally. Yes, while the match was won, and Edinburgh were denied a losing bonus point, one can’t help but wonder if all these missing points will come back to haunt us.
RugbyRambler
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12 Responses to “Match Review: Ulster 29 Edinburgh 21”
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Yes RugbyRambler those missing points will come back to haunt us sooner rather than later. With our possession and field position Ulster should have won by more than the 8 point margin.
I thought Kyriacou and Diack were outstanding in the pack and were replaced to early. Until Kyriacou was replaced the lineout worked like clockwork for the first time this season, he had some good carries and can actually pass! I am sure it wont go unnoticed the lineout went to shit under Rory when we needed it most pushing for the winning bonus point. Wannenburg is a fantastic player but he is a much better 6 than 8. Diack like Kyriacou must wonder what he has to do to stay on the pitch. Any understanding between 8 and 9 went completely when Wannenburg came on and he made a couple of schoolboy errors. And talking of schoolboy errors ……. well done Ryan, credit were it is due, no penalties conceded.
My other disappointment is that young McIlwaine didn’t get a run at full back ,his natural position ,when Smith could have done with a rest and only God knows what IH has done to McGlock when he didn’t get a sniff given O’C's erratic display. Too much crap is talked about his tackling ability or lack of it. Some of last nights team should be embarassed. I just can’t understand coaches who persist in taking off players who are playing at the top of their game yet persist with others who are clearly not. But then as Matt Williams might say … “show me your coaching badges”
Enjoy this season McGlock it will be your last.
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it’s very interesting that Moffat commented after the match ‘it was the one that got away’ wondering was he watching the same game, Ulster gave away easy points and also lost easy points and on the night where by far the better team, just a pity about the missed bonus point the Scarlets have done well with 3 bonus points already shows there is always something to play for winning or losing.
Cave, BJ, Marshall and Trimble where outstanding, Smith also played well and would rather see Smith at full back than McIlwaine just not sure about him yet, Wannenburg wasn’t the super sub that i was expecting, but BJ made a good difference, Rory was pants and don’t see why he was brought on in the 1st place Andi was having a great game.
Muller for Captain all season so far he shown to be a great leader.
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Jordy ………. would agree with most of what you say but would like to see McIlwaine get a run at fullback not least because of his size. There was a time last night when it looked like the Edinburgh winger Visser was running in against the ” diddy men” !
Yes, Muller for Captain. Rory has enough problems trying to regain his mojo.
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“diddy men” i like that …………
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Yes, I couldn’t spell “umpa Lumpas”.
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Perhaps Moffat was talking about our bonus point that got away ?
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Moffat has ever right to say it was one that got away in so far as Ulster put 15 points either side of the posts any coach would agree when your opponents miss that many you should be winning.
That said Trimble was definitely my man of the match due to fact that his presence alone encouraged and enabled Ulster to play a more open game and his performance justified his inclusion in the Ireland squad . Marshall kick well and has the attitude of a real competitor gets to the breakdown quickly but his pass is slowed by two small steps and a couple were arrived at O’Connors feet Porter’s pass seemed quicker when he came on.
O’Coonor when he missed the first kick started to over compensate and missed too many points his place kicking is still work in progress still kicking the ball far to hard in my opinion he has still work to do on his restarts which again showed signs of kicking the ball to hard and not enabling the pack to arrive either to challenge the catch or tackle the catcher when he came to ground. and that said I still won’t pick IH it is not just that his tackle is weak but it is the effect of realigning the backline has on the rest of the defence which makes him a LIABILITY in 15 man rugby he has all the skills for 7s but not enough for the 15 game. There is no reason to believe that IH would have made any difference to the try count against what was a sound Edinburgh backline. If another try was to be scored it had to be by Ulsters forwards not backs the Edinburgh Forwards well beaten in the last quarter of the match .
Why would Beemac want to play McILwaine his profile is in neither the Academy or Ulster Squad .?D’Arcy had been picked for the Ravens and Smith for Ulster Smith was picked to play 80 mins McIlwaine was never a sub he was cover for injury only.
Wannerberg/Diack Fridays game showed one thing Wannerberg if playing plays from the start he can’t get into the pace and feel of a game coming on (late) as a sub some players can do it others can’t.
Referee watch
The referee wasw fine on the normally expected infringements but green when it came to the smart infringements of the professional game — crossing– barging in the line out and holding
Trimble was held back before the second Edinburgh try one Edinburgh attach was set up as result of a run which involved two crossings/blockled tackles and one Ulster lineout was disrupted by barging setting up another Edinburgh attack.
Edinburgh like any true professional side don’t infringe continously but do so for a purpose and advantage.
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Pleased with the result and its good to see the performance improving, great to see Trimble back in the side and making an impact straight from the kick off. Felt the pack had a steady game and where directed well by Marshall who was outstanding in both attack and defence; no doubt the presence of a certain South African in the stands had something to do with this, showing that there will be true competition within the squad for places, which can only be a good think.
I feel like I’m repeating myself yet again when I say that the final score was a lot closer that what it should have been, and we could have been staring at a defeat if the ref had seen an Edinburgh try instead of bringing them back for a pen…but i’ll not dwell on this point! The fact of the matter is N O’C missed too many kicks, I stood there on the Prom and thought to myself, surely he can’t be the best place kicker in Ulster!! Something has to be done, either utilise the bench or give him a ball and some posts to aim at for the next week! When the bigger teams come in future weeks these mistakes will no longer go unpunished. Moreover its can’t be good for the team on the pitch when the pack but in a big effort to win a pen and see the chance wasted. Having said all that he contributed in 2 trys, his kicking out of hand was very impressive (bar one missed touch) and his hands where excellent picking up stray balls from Marshall.
Also, slightly disappointed that Wannerberg didnt have as big an impact when coming off the bench as I hoped and to be quite honest, expected. Have to agree that he may need to come on a bit earlier or else start the game and go flat out for 50-60 mins to get the best out of him. However I need to disagree and say that I’m also disappointed that we didnt get to see McIlwaine given some game time at 15, his natural position, especially when you at the Edinburgh scores you can’t help but wonder what a larger framed FB could have done to stop them.
However, all things considered, a win is a win and 3 from 3 isn’t to be neglected. The players and coaching staff know they need to up their game in the coming matches in the run up to Europe and I was pleased to see McGlock acknowledge this when he said “…and we haven’t even played yet!” Wetting the appetite nicely for the next Ravenhill encounter. And on the final note, good to see a few more faces about the ground and the atmosphere was really buzizing, with the matches being televised its all to tempting to stay at home as we’re entering the usual cold and rainy Friday nights, but as the saying goes the more the merrier – we need to come together, show our support and STAND UP FOR THE ULSTER MEN!
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Marshall had a great game – why did they take him off? Great to see the fickle Ulster sporting public being, err, fickle and coming out to support Ulster; nothing to do with the good weather and the winning streak of course. I expect such crowds in the bleak, wintry days ahead and in spite of the live TV coverage. And what’s more (this is turning into a junior RR rant) why can’t BBC NI show Ulster’s away Magners games live which would be rather more useful than showing the home games which is likely to persuade the fair-weather supporters to stay at home. And another thing, Murphys, FECKIN’ MURPHYS!!!!!
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JK ………. Quite right. If I had my way no home games would be shown live unless it was a sell out. (Highlights only for the sofa brigade.)
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Quite right Johnny re ‘murphys’ I’m going to join you in your boycott an embrace the red wine on Friday evenings!!!!
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Cheers CC. Hopefully you will only receive minor villification (“vinifcation”?) should you choose to join me…
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