Ulster are back with a bang
MATCH REPORT: Ulster cruised past Ospreys with a 47-17 victory in their United Rugby Championship Round Four clash at Ravenhill Stadium.
Ulster, who suffered defeat to Leinster last time out, also crossed over through John Andrew, Stuart McCloskey and Marcus Rea – as John Cooney added the extras – in a one-sided clash where they had already secured their try bonus before half-time.
Ospreys scored a first-half try from Jac Morgan in addition to a conversion and penalty from Jack Walsh and ended the contest with a touchdown from Morgan Morris which Walsh converted.
Ulster, who announced the signing of Worcester’s British and Irish Lions prop Rory Sutherland on a short-term deal ahead of kick-off, claimed their first try shortly after kick-off when Marshall barrelled over as the visitors had made a hash of clearing, while Cooney converted.
Six minutes later and a penalty was put to the corner, prompting the Ulster maul to rumble over the line to allow Andrew to touch down for try number two which Cooney again converted.
The Ospreys then struck back when Morgan got on the end of a line-out maul with Walsh converting.
Just before the end of the first quarter, an Ulster counterattack saw Duane Vermeulen and Craig Gilroy link before Nick Timoney surged over though the score was scrubbed out as Walsh and Morgan prevented the touchdown.
The home side recorded their third after 22 minutes when Carter burrowed over from close range after the Irish province had attacked off a line-out, while Cooney converted once more.
Five minutes later, Walsh kicked a vital long-range penalty after Ulster were penalised at a scrum.
Then, after 33 minutes, Ulster secured their bonus point through Marshall’s second, with the centre again running a good line and lining up a mismatch.
Cooney’s conversion took the home side’s lead to 28-10, which is how the first half ended.
One minute after the restart, McCloskey was put clear by Michael Lowry, though Cooney was wide with the extras.
The next score came after 64 minutes when Carter drove over from close range for his second and Ulster’s sixth which Cooney converted.
It was not over yet and – with six minutes remaining – replacement Rea dotted down, with Cooney again converting.
The game ended with Morris crashing over and Walsh converting but it was too late for Ospreys to mount a fightback.
Man of the Match
Luke Marshall had an eye-catching game and scored two first-half tries in a clash which saw him heavily involved throughout with some dazzling support plays as he, once again, combined well with centre partner Stuart McCloskey.
Play of the match
Ulster’s bonus point try was a great piece of attacking play begun by Michael Lowry. The Irish province pushed left and then surged forward through McCloskey and then with a quick ball supplied to John Cooney, the supporting Marshall who crashed over for his second of the night.
The scorers
For Ulster
Tries: Marshall 2, Andrew, Carter 2, McCloskey, Rea
Cons: Cooney 6
For Ospreys
Tries: Morgan, Morris
Cons: Walsh 2
Pen: Walsh
Teams
Ulster: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Craig Gilroy, 13 Luke Marshall, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Rob Lyttle, 10 Ian Madigan, 9 John Cooney, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Jordi Murphy, 6 Nick Timoney, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Alan O’Connor (captain), 3 Marty Moore, 2 John Andrew, 1 Eric O’Sullivan.
Replacements: 16 Declan Moore, 17 Andy Warwick, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Frank Bradshaw-Ryan, 20 Marcus Rea, 21 Dave Shanahan, 22 Billy Burns, 23 Aaron Sexton.
Ospreys: 15 Max Nagy, 14 Luke Morgan, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Michael Collins, 11 Keelan Giles, 10 Stephen Myler, 9 Reuben Morgan Williams, 8 Dan Lydiate (captain), 7 Jac Morgan, 6 Will Griffiths, 5 Huw Sutton, 4 Rhys Davies, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Dewi Lake, 1 Gareth Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin, 17 Nicky Smith, 18 Rhys Henry, 19 Jack Regan, 20 Morgan Morris, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Jack Walsh, 23 Joe Hawkins.
Referee: Ben Blain (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Paul Haycock (Ireland) & Andrew Fogarty (Ireland)
TMO: Andrew McMenemy (Scotland)
