Match Report: Cardiff Blues 15 – Ulster 37

Ulster were back in action in this weekend following the short break to make way for the Autumn Internationals. With both teams missing some of their International players, it was a performance to remember for the Ulstermen as they stormed to a 37 – 15 victory over the Cardiff Blues, to place them third in the league.

Cardiff dominated possession and territory in the opening period of the match as they repeatedly forced Ulster back towards their own 22, and fifteen minutes into the game saw the hosts’ first opportunity to take an early lead when centre Casey Laulala broke through Ulster’s defence and touched down for the first try of the night while Ceri Sweeney added the conversion. Cardiff 7 – Ulster 0.

Ulster were focused from the restart and as they made their way towards Cardiff’s try line, debutant Craig Gilroy sprinted to the right wing and dived over for his first try. Ian Humphreys sliced his kick, meaning the try went unconverted and Ulster chasing the lead. Cardiff 7 – Ulster 5.

A Cardiff infringement on 26 minutes allowed Humphreys to opt for the posts and his long-range kick was on target, giving his side a narrow lead over the opposition. Cardiff 7 – Ulster 8.

Five minutes later however and Ulster’s fortunes turned when fullback Adam D’Arcy was controversially sin binned, having been accused of a deliberate knock-on. Despite the replay providing evidence to the contrary, Ulster were forced to finish the first half with 14 men. Sweeney decided to take immediate advantage of the situation, and slotted over a penalty, to take the score to Cardiff 10 – Ulster 8.

Tom James added to Ulster’s misery when a mistake by Gilroy allowed him to cross the line and score his sides’ second try of the night, two minutes before half-time. Sweeney missed the conversion, leaving everything still to play for as the first forty minutes came to an end. Cardiff 15 – Ulster 8.

As the second half got underway and Ulster were back to 15 men, both teams fought hard to gain the upper hand and it looked like Cardiff were going to be the first to add to their points’ tally again when Michael Paterson and Tom James raced to Ulster’s 22. However a poor offload ended their chance to score a try; instead Ian Humphreys became the first to add to the scoreboard with his penalty attempt on 56 minutes. Cardiff 15 – Ulster 11.

Two minutes later Humphreys’ perfectly timed kick set Gilroy up for his second try of the game as he powered through Cardiff’s defence to touch down under the posts. Humphreys successfully converted the try, taking the score to Cardiff 15 – Ulster 18.

And it wasn’t to end there for Ulster. With a new energy and determination, fullback D’Arcy left Cardiff lagging behind as he sprinted down the wing, to dive unchallenged into the corner on the hour mark. Humphreys missed the conversion but Ulster had now established a clearer lead over the opposition. Cardiff 15 – Ulster 23.

A Cardiff infringement gave Humphreys the chance to widen the points’ gap even further, but his kick drifted just wide of the posts, leaving the score unchanged.

With just under ten minutes remaining, Ulster had only one try left to score before being awarded a bonus point and it came from back rower Willie Faloon who jumped on a pass from Paul Marshall 30 yards out, before touching down behind the posts. Humphreys converted the try, giving the visitors a decisive lead over Cardiff. Cardiff 15 – Ulster 30.

With seconds of the match left, a Cardiff mistake allowed Paddy Wallace to gather the ball and run towards the oppositions’ 22 where he grounded Ulster’s fifth and final try, while Humphreys added the conversion to make it the final play of the game.

Full-time score: Cardiff 15 – Ulster 37.

Thoughts on the game?

It feels so good to talk about winning ways again, following three losses just before the Autumn Internationals break. It wasn’t a perfect performance from the team though as there were errors made, penalties given away and a yellow card (which albeit, seemed a ludicrous decision to me).

For a majority of the first 50 minutes, the team struggled to find their way in the match and appeared to be doing little to help turn the game in their advantage; yes, they did concede a few points, but they didn’t fall back into a pattern of giving up. I think the change came when Wallace and Trimble were brought into the game, in place of Spence and Whitten as the game seemed to flow better.

I felt a number of players stepped up to the mark and produced some excellent performances, but more importantly, it was refreshing to see the team start to work as a collective unit. The forwards had some great rolling mauls and gave the backs good ball to attack with. There seemed to be a game plan in place and play was more structured.

Craig Gilroy, on his debut for Ulster, scored two tries and proved he is definitely one to watch for the future. Paul Marshall had the chance to start a game again with Ruan out for the AI’s – and he had a fantastic game. Adam D’Arcy and Ian Humphreys also had brilliant games and showed the threat they pose.

Chris Henry made a couple of good turnovers throughout the match, and when Willie Faloon came on as a replacement, was excellent. It baffles me slightly that he doesn’t start for Ulster more often, but maybe after yesterday’s performance, he’ll finally get the opportunity to start.

Finally, a bonus point win – away in Wales – will have done wonders for the confidence within the squad and it is looking very positive ahead of their next fixture; away to Treviso.

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