Ulster resumed the attack and and only good defence from Leinster prevented Ulster scoring. At this time all the game was being played in the Leinster half. Ulster were playing well, retaining the ball and going through good phases of play. Eventually the pressure paid off and James Simpson (Ballynahinch) broke through, the ball passed through several hands and Joshua Donaldson (Ballynahinch) scored wide out. Twenty minutes gone and Ulster were well on top.

Ulster Youth Captain Michael Lawton leads out the team

Once again Leinster reacted strongly and resumed the attack using their backs well, attacking out wide providing problems for the Ulster defence. On twenty five minutes Leinster recycled the ball several times and loose head prop Sean Preston (Guinness) standing in the wing position scored a try in the corner. Ulster returned to the Leinster half and were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. They kicked to touch but Leinster defended well and cleared their line.

Leinster resumed the attack but Jarryd Bennett (Letterkenny) intercepted and brought the Ulster attack into the Leinster 22. The ball was retained and moved through the hands for Robert Irvine (Ballynahinch) to score an excellent try. 13 -12 to Ulster at half time and they now had to turn round and play into the stiff breeze. The tone of the second half was immediately set from the kick off. Ulster Kicked off and Niall Earls kicked the ball down into the Ulster 22. Ulster were to play most of the second half in their own half with astute kicking from Earls and good running from the Leinster backs.

The Ulster defence was solid and strong driving runs by Fergal Lynch (Virginia) and Ryan Hill (Rainey) kept them going forward. On 10 minutes Leinster scored a penalty through Earls and 5 minutes later kicked one more. 18 – 13 down and it could have been more but for a try saving tackle by Robert Irvine prevented a certain score. John O’Toole (Larne) replaced Alex Malcolm(Carrick) who had been carrying a slight injury.  Paul Brown(Rainey) moved to centre and O’Toole to Full back.

Ulster Youth in action against Leinster

Ulster stuck manfully to the task and worked their way into the Leinster 22.They camped there hitting the Leinster defence hard and eventually were awarded a penalty in front on the posts. Ulster opted for the scrum. Two phases of play to the right, followed by a sweeping move to the left then out to the right again, saw Lewis Jones(Ballynahinch) score a try wide out.
Leinster again kicked deep into the Ulster 22 and had a try disallowed for a forward pass.

With the score at 18 – 18 and the scoreboard clock showing full time, Ulster lost possession on their own 10 metre line and were severely punished when second row Craig Grehan (Guinness) scored an unconverted try.

This was a good performance by Ulster against a solid Leinster team. Ulster defended well in the tight but were exposed out wide. Line outs and scrums were good. Ball retention was good and they showed they could go through many phases of play. Improving decision making and a faster blitz defence are the only problems but with experience this will improve.

With Connacht beating Munster 20 -0, Ulster’s trip to Limerick next weekend will be interesting.