View from the car, sofa and car again: Biarritz v Ulster

The way my weekend was going I should have known that Ulster were going to be humped on Sunday.

My weekend started on Thursday night when I had to cry off from my much-anticipated trip to San Seb and Biarritz. Though the cry off was for all the right reasons it still didn’t make it any easier especially as my erstwhile travelling companions kept reminding me on what a great trip I’d be missing and how, “Ulster will definitely win now I’m not there to see it” – a statement which appeared to be a verifiable truth as I’d missed the trip to Bath in similar circumstances last season.

Friday came and went and on Saturday morning I ventured to the North West to cover Foyle and Derry v Dalriada in the morning and my luck didn’t change as the low strong sun limited my photography to one end of the pitch. Naturally it just happened to be the end where no tries were scored in an entertaining match that boasted 6 tries in total. I think this was the first time I failed to get a single try on the card!

Saturday afternoon I thought I’d cover City of Derry v Ards in the Senior Cup but apart from not having any team sheets there were no major dramas as Derry eventually cruised home after Ards valiant efforts faded. Checked my mobile as I set off for home to find 14 texts telling me I was missing “the best trip ever!” Hum!

On Sunday I thought I’d cover Quins Ladies v Malahide in the AIL 2N with the proviso I’d head off at 2:15 so I was home in time for the Ulster match. 2:15 came and went and, caught up in the match it was nearer 2:25, by the time I got away but still plenty of time to scoot down to Larne on a Sunday afternoon, surely?

We’ll maybe yes on a normal Sunday, but with a bomb scare announced and the West Link closed it made things a little difficult and I had to get Gusher and Constable on the radio as I eventually weaved my way out of Belfast and set off down the M2/A6.

Gusher’s actually better on the radio than on the TV but Constable is too, too, attached to the players no matter what platform he’s on and by the time I’d reached my destination the only thing of value I’d learnt was that McIlwaine had made a good catch!

I arrived at my destination in time to see Pienaar first miss and then slot over a penalty and I must admit for most of the first half Ulster were the team in the ascendancy, to such a degree that I commented if they kept their heads they should win the match. Robbie Diack was peerless in the first half with the young South African at the heart of everything good about Ulster’s play and it was the cynical off the ball assault on Diack after his attempt to score that cost Ulster the game.

Without Diack to plug the gaps and D’Arcy constantly out of position leaving McIlwaine to cover wing and full back, the holes opened up and Biarritz stormed through with ease. Our big name’s were disappointing and our match reading was as poor as it’s ever been, showing a remarkable lack of composure when under pressure.

When Marconet  went over for their third I decided enough was enough and it was time to head home for my Sunday roast. Caught the forth try on the way but the radio was firmly switched off by the time Ferris scored the consolation. By that stage I was turning my attention to the spuds and gravy!

Biarritz should have the group won, even at this early stage, our progress will be determined by our trip to Bath.

Better not miss that one!

More like this:

• Match Report: Biarritz 35 Ulster 15
• Ulster Team for Biarritz – Yeeha!
• Squad for Biarritz
• Player of the Year: Open Voting.