Belfast slip against Stormers is a tough one for Ulster
REACTION: Ulster coach Richie Murphy hailed his team’s 38-38 draw with the Stormers as “pretty special” for the URC, but admitted it was tough to take.
Murphy’s men overcame a 20-minute red card for skipper Iain Henderson and a 17-7 deficit to lead 38-31 with just 45 seconds left on the clock at Belfast’s Affidea Stadium.
But, in a dramatic finale, the Stormers were awarded a penalty try for Nathan Doak making shoulder to head contact with Leolin Zas as he prevented the winger from getting the ball down.
That meant both sides ended up taking three points from the rollercoaster contest.
Giving his verdict on a game which featured a hat-trick of tries for his South African winger Werner Kok, Murphy said: “I thought there was massive character from the lads.
“The commitment they have shown to each other over the last number of weeks has been really good.
“We were really happy with how we attacked the game. We put some really good things together in attack and scored some really nice tries.
“It was a tough way to finish the game.
“But, when we do look at that last bank of defence, we will see things in there that we can do better and ultimately that’s what probably cost us in the end.
“For two teams like that to come out with a 38-38 draw is a pretty special day for the league, but we really needed the five points and, just at the back end of the game, it just went away from us.”
Ulster will take on top of the log Glasgow Warriors in the final league match of the season on Friday.
Source: URC
