Ulster got back to winning ways with an 18 – 10 victory against Connacht on Friday night at Ravenhill. The result secures the double over the Westies, who remain at the top of the league, and sees Ulster move back into the top four. 

Rory Best and Craig Gilroy both crossed for Ulster with Paddy Jackson adding a conversion and two early penalties. 

The home side came out bristling with intent and their aggressive defence won this game in the opening fifteen minutes, two incidents in particular setting the tone. 

Ulster were already leading 3 – 0, thanks to an early Jackson penalty, when Connacht threw down the gauntlet, opting for an attacking line out instead of a kick at the posts.  

A crunching tackle by Roger Wilson and Iain Henderson on Andrew Browne stopped their momentum with the ball eventually breaking to Craig Gilroy to clear down field. Connacht, now facing a defensive line out in their own 22, looked to run out out trouble only for the unfortunate Browne to be smashed back once again, Wilson and Peter Browne causing the damage this time as Connacht’s break out ended with another penalty for  Jackson. 

With Ulster 6 – 0 up after 15 mins, and both sides attempting to go wide, it looked as though this top of the table clash might actually live up to it’s billing but an over-officious display from the referee halted the momentum for both sides. The bulk of Dudley Phillips decisions may have been technically correct but they showed little empathy for the game and it all got a bit scrappy and stop start for the remainder of the half. 

Ulster extended their lead on the 27th minute, a well worked line out maul ending with Rory Best touching down over the line. Jackson missed the conversion but Ulster were good value for their 11 – 0 lead. However Connacht were still in contention and they showed their resolve with a last minute penalty, from Shane O’Leary, taking them into the break eight points adrift with the score reading Ulster 11 Connacht 3. 

The second half started with a bang, Gilroy crossing for a converted try after good work from Jared Payne, and it looked as though Ulster would cut loose to secure that a bonus point win. However, a yellow card for Andrew Trimble turned the tide and during his absence Connacht replacement Caolin Blade crossed for a well worked try which O’Leary converted to take the score to 18 – 10. 

Despite a frantic finish that’s how it stayed. Ulster turned the screw and Connacht finished the game with 13 men but the visitors showed remarkable tenacity in the face of adversity. Ulster will be disappointed that they didn’t get more out of the game but only the most myopic of supporters would fail to recognise an extraordinary defensive display from the visitors.

Ulster can go into the remaining fixtures with increased confidence and they’ll certainly fancy another dig at Connacht in the semi – final! 

I’ve stuck Peter Browne up as the featured image for this one. He had a quiet start to the season but he’s had a few good performances recently. He’s my man of the match for this one.

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Images courtesy of Ian Humes Photography