Godman helps Gunners stay on top
A 72nd minutes drop goal from flyhalf Phil Godman helped Edinburgh to narrow 16-13 victory over Ulster at Ravenhill on Friday night in their Magners League clash.
The home side looked set on their way to a comfortable victory after scoring two tries in the opening 20 minutes but, refusing to lie down, the current Magners League log leaders pecked their way back into the match and ultimately snuck the win at the death.
Lions flank Stephen Ferris scored the first try of the night after just 16 minutes before, on 20 minutes, fullback Clinton Schifcofske added the second.
Dutch international Tim Visser opened the scoring for the Gunners after half an hour and, with Chris Paterson’s successful conversion, and a Ian Humphreys penalty for the home side, the two teams heading into the break with Ulster ahead 13-7.
A predictably tight second half saw both sides refusing to budge. Paterson though managed two more successful penalties, on 61 and 67 minutes – leveling the scores with time on the clock quickly running out.
The decisive moment then came with just eight minutes left on the clock. Having been behind on the scoreboard since the 16th minute, Edinburgh took the lead with Godman’s drop goal and were able to hold on to it until the final whistle.
Edinburgh, with three wins on the trot, are the only undefeated team left in the League and sit clear at the top of the table with 13 points.
For Ulster:
Tries: Ferris, Schifcofske
Pen: Humphreys
For Edinburgh:
Tries: Visser
Con: Paterson
Pens: Paterson 2
Drop goal: Godman
Yellow card: Wallace (60, Ulster)
Ulster: 15 Clinton Schifcofske, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Ian Whitten, 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Chris Henry, 7 Willie Faloon, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Ed O’Donoghue, 4 Neil McComb, 3 Brendon Botha, 2 Andy Kyriacou, 1 Bryan Young.
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Declan Fitzpatrick, 18 Tamiati Horua, 19 Robbie Diack, 20 Cillian Willis, 21 Paddy Wallace, 22 Andrew Trimble.
Edinburgh: 15 Chris Paterson, 14 Mark Robertson, 13 Ben Cairns, 12 John Houston, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Phil Godman, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Allister Hogg (capt), 7 Roddy Grant, 6 Alan MacDonald, 5 Scott MacLeod, 4 Craig Hamilton, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Kyle Traynor.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Kelly, 17 Allan Jacobsen, 18 Steve Turnbull, 19 Scott Newlands, 20 Mike Blair, 21 Steve Jones, 22 Nick De Luca.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: David Keane (Ireland), Ken Beggs (Ireland)
TMO: Jonathan Peak (Ireland)
