Ulster's derby demolition job complete
Ulster stormed to a bonus-point victory over Irish rivals Connacht on Friday night thanks to fifteen points from flyhalf Ian Humphreys.
Both teams came into the fixture needed the win but a dominating second half display from the visitors saw them storm to victory , scoring four tries in the process.
Leading by just one point at the break, the Ulsterman got off to a strong start in the second half and never looked back.
The match started with a bang and, after just four minutes, international centre Darren Cave went over for Ulster.
Connacht though responded well – scoring successful penalties in the 8th and 20th minutes of the match. Unfortunately for them though that would prove to be the extend of their scoring on the night.
Just two minutes into the second half Brian McLaughlin’s men added their second try of the night. Powerful South African prop forward BJ Botha went over, taking the score to 14-6.
Playmaker Humphreys then added two penalties to his teams tally – extending the points difference to 14 points – before, with 11 minutes left in the came, wing Timoci Nagusa put the game beyond doubt.
Humphreys himself added the cherry on the top by scoring the bonus point try but in truth it was a disappointing display from the home side.
The Scorers
For Connacht
Pen: Keatley 2
For Ulster
Tries: Cave, Botha, Nagusa, Humphreys
Pen: Humphreys 2
Cons: Humphreys 2
The Teams:
Connacht: 15 Gavin Duffy, 14 Brian Tuohy, 13 Troy Nathan, 12 Keith Matthews, 11 Fionn Carr, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Frank Murphy, 8 Mike McComish, 7 Ray Ofisa, 6 John Muldoon (captain), 5 Bernie Upton, 4 Andrew Browne, 3 Jamie Hagan, 2 Sean Cronin, 1 Brett Wilkinson
Replacements: 16 Adrian Flavin, 17 Robbie Morris, 18 Mike McCarthy, 19 Johnny O’Connor, 20 Conor O’Loughlin, 21 Liam Bibo, 22 Aidan Wynne
Ulster: 15 Clinton Schifcofske, 14 Timoci Nagusa, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Paddy Wallace (Captain), 11 Simon Danielli, 10 Ian Humphreys, 9 Isaac Boss, 8 Robbie Diack, 7 Willie Faloon, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Ed O’Donoghue, 4 Dan Tuohy, 3 Brendon Botha, 2 Andy Kyriacou, 1 Tom Court
Replacements: 16 Nigel Brady, 17 Declan Fitzpatrick, 18 Neil McComb, 19 Chris Henry, 20 Paul Marshall, 21 Ian Whitten, 22 Andrew Trimble
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Seamus Flannery (Ireland)
TMO: Dermot Moloney (Ireland)
