Ulster Schools U19 0 - 46 Leinster Schools U19
14 November 2005, 4:56 pm
By Lyndsey Irwin
Ulster Schools' U19's were defeated by a very talented Leinster team in an entertaining match at Ravenhill on Friday 11th November.
Playing into a stiff breeze, the Ulster boys started off sytrongly displaying good skills in carrying the ball against the Leinster team. It was important to deny Leinster possession and this tactic worked in the opening exchanges.
Unfortunately after six minutes Ulster turned over possession and the Leinster counter attack led by 2004 Schools' Internationals Brian Collins and Luke Fitzgerald broke away to put Irish U18 star Aidan Wynne in for their first score.
This seemed to spur the Ulster team up and good work from centres Mark Mc Crea and Richard Brady brought some structure to their play. The Ulster team pressed hard but a resolute Leinster defence kept them at bay.
After 15 minutes Leinster broke out and following a penalty against Ulster for obstruction, Leinster out half Brian Collins increased their lead to 8-0 when he kicked a penalty.
This put Leinster very much in control and despite resolute defence from the Ulster back row 2004 Irish Schools' prop Cian Healy further increaed the Leinster lead when he barged over for a try which was converted by Brian Collins to put Leinster 15-0 ahead.
Ulster came back strongly and tested the visitor's defence but were unable to get enough quality ball to cross the line before half time.
The start of the second half saw Ulster turn over a crucial ball and this allowed Leinster to counter attack and that man Fitzgerald ran in for a well taken try to extend the Leinster lead to 20-0.
Five minutes later 2nd row Robin Copeland further extended the Leister lead when he crashed over for a try which was converted by Brian Collins.
After twenty minutes of the second half Ulster, despite some heroic defence, were having difficulty with the Leinster pace. After good work from Fitzgerald, his Blackrock College team mate and Irish Schools' winger Vasya artemiev ran in unopposed for a well taken try which was converted by Collins.
Five minutes later Artimiev ran in for his second try which was converted by Collins to give Leinster an impressive 41-0 lead.
Ulster never stopped trying to be constuctive in their play but things just did not go their way and in the final minute Leinster scrum half Paul O'Donoghue completed a good night's work for this talented Leinster team when he scored a well taken try to leave Leinster deserved 46-0 winners in the inaugural U19 Schools Interprovincial game.
The Ulster boys will play their second and final Interpro game against Munster in Cork on Friday 18th November. This will be another tough encounter but the Ulster squad will meet at Dungannon Royal School at 3-00pm on Tuesday 15th Nov for squad session to prepare for this game.
All players involved on Friday against Leinster are asked to attend. Simon Ross and Danny Annett who were unavailable because of injury to play against Leinster are also asked to attend this session.