Bulls hold on for nervy victory over Ulster
MATCH REPORT: The Bulls survived a fightback from a plucky Ulster side to secure a 34-26 bonus-point victory in their United Rugby Championship Round Four clash in Pretoria on Saturday.
Johan Ackermann’s side had a 21-0 lead after 32 minutes before the visitors started to find their feet.
Ulster eventually outscored the Bulls by three tries to one in the second half, but it wasn’t enough to take the log points away from the hosts.
It was all too easy for the Bulls at the start of the game, with Marcell Coetzee going over for a try in the second minute courtesy of a powerful maul.
After missing a few more opportunities, the Bulls got their second try in the 19th minute, and this time Elrigh Louw scored from another well-worked maul.
The Bulls had momentum on their side, and after some big carries, Coetzee finished off another strong period to score his second try in the match.
However, Ulster had the final say of the half when the ball went through the hands, and Chay Mullins had the speed to race away for a try.
At half-time, it was 21-7 to the Bulls.
It was a brilliant start to the second half for the visitors as Dave McCann went over for his team’s second try.
The Ulstermen also got an advantage when Coetzee was yellow-carded for a dangerous cleanout in the build-up to that score.
After landing three conversions, Handre Pollard made it a 10-point ball game with a penalty goal.
Ulster started to show more patience on attack and after a few phases in the Bulls’ 22, the ball went through the hands again, and Mullins was on hand to score his second try.
However, the Bulls responded immediately with their big ball carriers and this time Johan Grobbelaar powered over for a five-pointer in the 66th minute.
It was a see-saw affair, and Ulster bounced back once again a few minutes later when centre Stuart McCloskey crashed over for a try.
The visitors had their chances to try and snatch a win. However, the Bulls had the final say when Curwin Bosch landed a long-range penalty at the death to take a bonus-point away from Ulster.
Man of the match: The award goes to Paul de Wet, who dictated play on attack and had a hand in some big plays.
The scorers:
For Bulls:
Tries: Coetzee 2, Louw, Grobbelaar
Cons: Pollard 4
Pens: Pollard, Bosch
For Ulster:
Tries: Mullins 2, McCann, McCloskey
Cons: Murphy 3
Yellow card: Marcell Coetzee (Bulls, 46′ – foul play, dangerous cleanout
Teams:
Bulls: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Sebastian de Klerk, 13 Sango Xamlashe, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Cheswill Jooste, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Marcell Coetzee (captain), 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Francois Klopper, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Alu Tshakweni, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Curwin Bosch, 23 Dylan Maart.
Ulster: 15 Jacob Stockdale, 14 Chay Mullins, 13 Jamie Benson, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Michael Lowry, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Nick Timoney, 6 David McCann, 5 Cormac Izuchukwu, 4 Ben Donnell, 3 Keynan Knox, 2 Tom Stewart (captain), 1 Tom O’Toole.
Replacements: 16 Henry Walker, 17 Eric O’Sullivan, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Eli Snyman, 20 James McNabney, 21 Matthew Devine, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 James McKillop.
Referee: Ru Campbell (SRU)
Assistant referees: Stephan Geldenhuys (SARU), Sean Muller (SARU)
TMO: Sam Grove-White (SRU)
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