Danielli stars as Ulster beat Munster
Two first-half tries from Simon Danielli helped Ulster to record a much needed 15-10 win over Munster in their all-Irish clash at Ravenhill on Saturday evening.
The home side enjoyed a fantastic opening 22 minutes, scoring two tries through wing Danielli and opened up a 15-0 gap.
Flyhalf Ian Humphreys opened the scoring with a penalty after just 11 minutes before, with 19 minutes gone, Danielli struck his first blow.
Three minutes later and the flyer was at it again – finishing well for the home side and handing them a commanding lead just a quarter of the way through the match.
Munster though were soon back in the match thanks to a try from Springbok centre Jean De Villiers. A successful conversion and late first half penalty from stand-in flyhalf Paul Warwick saw the Red Army claw their way to within five points of their hosts as the half time whistle sounded.
The first half of the second period saw very few attacking opportunties for either side. Ulster, looking to defend their lead, made a number of changes to their team, including the introductions of Timoci Nagusa and Niall O’Connor, while Munster soldiered on with their first-choice XV.
With fifteen minutes left on the clock Warwick had the chance to narrow the gap with a penalty attempt but he was unsuccessful – meaning the Magners League Champions remained five points adrift.
Despite both sides having chances neither was able to add anything more to their points tally in during the second period.
The victory, Ulster’s first after three straight Magners League defeats, moves the White Knights up to sixth place on the table – just three points behind Munster.
The Scorers
For Ulster
Tries: Danielli 2
Pen: Humphreys
Con: Humphreys
For Munster
Try: De Villiers
Pen: Warwick
Con: Warcik
The teams:
Ulster: 15 Jamie Smith, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Ian Whitten, 12 Paddy Wallace, 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Chris Henry (captain), 7 Willie Faloon, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Dan Tuohy, 4 Ed O’Donoghue, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Nigel Brady, 1 Tom Court
Replacements: 16 Andy Kyriacou, 17 Declan Fitzpatrick, 18 Ryan Caldwell, 19 T.J. Anderson, 20 Cillian Willis, 21 Niall O’Connor, 22 Timoci Nagusa.
Munster: 15 Denis Hurley, 14 Doug Howlett, 13 Lifeimi Mafi, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Ian Dowling, 10 Paul Warwick, 9 Peter Stringer, 8 James Coughlan, 7 Niall Ronan, 6 Billy Holland, 5 Donnacha Ryan, 4 Mick O’Driscoll (captain), 3 Tony Buckley, 2 Damien Varley, 1 Wian du Preez.
Replacements: 16 Mike Sherry, 17 Stephen Archer, 18 Peter O’Mahony, 19 Tommy O’Donnell, 20 Duncan Williams, 21 Scott Deasy, 22 Tom Gleeson.
Referee: Alan Lewis
Assistant referees: Dudley Phillips, Brian MacNeice
TMO: Alan Rogan
