Bok Coetzee helps Ulster stifle Ospreys
PRO14 MATCH REPORT: Marcell Coetzee and Jacob Stockdale ran Ospreys ragged as Ulster recorded just their second away win of 2020 with an impressive 24-12 win at the Liberty Stadium.
Fullback Stockdale got the visitors’ first try and No.8 Coetzee the second but the duo were a relentless force around the park all evening – carrying hard and consistently making yards with ball in hand.
The boot of Stephen Myler kept the Ospreys in touch but John Cooney slid over for a brilliant long-range score to seal the win, despite Iain Henderson’s late red card, as Ulster made it two from two to start the campaign.
Ulster battered at the Ospreys door in the early going and on seven minutes, Stockdale took a perfect line from full-back to collect a flat Ian Madigan pass and charge over for the opening try.
Led by skipper Justin Tipuric, hurrying and harassing the visitors, Ospreys gained a foothold and the back-rower won a turnover at the breakdown, allowing Myler to slot the subsequent penalty.
Cooney cancelled that out with a three-pointer of his own but after the Ulster scrum-half saw a long-range penalty attempt drift wide, Myler made no mistake from the tee on the stroke of half-time to narrow the deficit to 10-6.
Ulster started the second half strongly, Stockdale making a number of marauding carries and brushing defenders aside, but it was powerful No.8 Coetzee who got their second try as he drove over from close-range as part of an impressive all-round display.
At 17-6 down, Ospreys needed a response and Myler delivered a third penalty, while Cooney’s second missed kick of the game on 60 minutes provided the hosts further succour.
The visitors looked far more threatening in attack but Myler’s boot steadily edged the Welshmen closer – his fourth penalty bringing them within a score at 17-12.
A solid display from @UlsterRugby as they claim an impressive away win over @ospreys 👏
Who impressed you most this afternoon at the Liberty Stadium? 🌟
Highlights 🎥👇 #GuinnessPRO14 | #OSPvULS pic.twitter.com/I2hdRHgoHk
— PRO14 RUGBY (@PRO14Official) October 10, 2020
However, Ulster finally sealed the win with seven minutes to go thanks to a brilliant long-range score.
Coetzee picked up off the back of a scrum and fired out a long pass before Madigan fed Rob Lyttle to break through the defensive line and he popped to the supporting Cooney, who was able to outpace the pursuing defenders and slide over.
The scrumhalf added the conversion for a 24-12 advantage and even Henderson’s late red card – for making contact with the head of an opponent at the breakdown – couldn’t deny the visitors victory.
The scorers:
For Ospreys:
Pens: Myler 4
For Ulster:
Tries: Stockdale, Coetzee, Cooney
Cons: Cooney: 3
Pen: Cooney
Teams:
Ospreys: 15 Dan Evans, 14 Mat Protheroe, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Keiran Williams, 11 Luke Morgan, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Morgan Morris, 7 Justin Tipuric (captain), 6 Olly Cracknell, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 4 Adam Beard, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Sam Parry, 1 Nicky Smith
Replacements: 16 Dewi Lake, 17 Rhodri Jones, 18 Ma’afu Fia, 19 Bradley Davies, 20 Dan Lydiate, 21 Harri Morgan, 22 Josh Thomas, 23 Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler
Ulster: 15 Jacob Stockdale, 14 Matt Faddes, 13 James Hume, 12 Stewart Moore, 11 Rob Lyttle, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 John Cooney, 8 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Marcus Rea, 6 Matthew Rea, 5 Iain Henderson (captain), 4 Alan O’Connor, 3 Marty Moore, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Jack McGrath
Replacements: 16 Adam McBurney, 17 Eric O’Sullivan, 18 Gareth Milasinovich, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Greg Jones, 21 David Shanahan, 22 Louis Ludik, 23 Sean Reidy
Referee: Mike Adamson
Assistant referees: Dan Jones, Gwyn Morris
TMO: Ian Davies
Source: @Pro14Official &
Photo credit: @UlsterRugby
