Playing with a slight wind in the first half Ulster tackled fiercely and withheld the initial onslaught from the Exiles. Ulster gained control of the ball and moved into the Irish half and camped on the Exiles line. The lineout was functioning well and Ulster were superior in the scrum. At number 8 James Simpson (Ballynahinch) carried the ball well, breaking the gain line on several occasions. About ten minutes into the game, Ulster had a line out on the Exiles 10 metre line.  Fifteen phases of play later the Irish defence was breached and Paul Allen (Rainey) finished with a great try in the corner. Ulster returned to the Exiles half and continued the same good work recycling the ball, moving it wide and only some resolute defence prevented them from scoring. Eventually following some excellent continuity, Fergal Lynch (Virginia) powered over for a try beside the posts. Michael Lawton (Ards) converted. Ulster spent the remainder of the first half in the Exiles territory and on 31 minutes Michael Lawton converted a penalty. Fifteen points to nil at the end of the first half and Ulster were cruising.

Ulster Youth and the Exiles in action at Malone RFC last Friday

The second half was almost a mirror of the first half but this time it was the Exiles who were doing all of the pressing but Ulster were resolute in defence. Several changes were made by Ulster as the Coach wanted to give good game time to the squad.  Graham McCandless (Dromore) replaced Rowan and the back line was reshuffled. The whole front row was replaced with Ryan Hill (Rainey), Robert Smyth (Monaghan) and Eamonn McIvor (City of Derry) coming on for Lynch, Weir and Carscadden. Nathan McMullan (Ballynahinch) replaced Lawton at 9 and Daniel Whitten (Lisburn) came on for Irvine at 10. Following a rare incursion into the Exiles 22 and when it looked as if they would score, a mistake led to the Exiles going the length of the pitch passing the ball through several hands and McDonald squeezed in at the corner. The Ulster coaching staff were not worried but when Carlisle scythed through the Ulster backs to score far out on 30 minutes, the Exiles were in striking distance of the Ulster score.On 34 minutes and 59 seconds the Exiles scored their final try, converted the final whistle sounded. Ulster showed how good a team they are in the first half both through attack and defence and in the second half they must realise not make fundamental errors, as teams at this level will punish them with scores.

Ulster now have three more warm up games against Ballymena Academy, Coleraine Inst and Royal School Dungannon before they play Leinster U18 at Ravenhill on September 15th.