Ulster Rugby : Ulster Youth 22 Vs 28 Connacht U18

Ulster Youth 22 Vs 28 Connacht U18

1 October 2007, 11:54 am

By Anne Perry

The Ulster team carrying four changes from the team which played Munster received the kick off and soon the fancied Connacht team had them under pressure...read on for more

For the first few minutes the Ulster team gave Connacht too much respect and allowed them to run their patterns and use their skilful backs. They were rewarded with a good try by Eoin Griffin (Corinthians) converted by Adam Kennedy (Buccaneers).
Ulster replied strongly gaining confidence in themselves and their efforts were rewarded by a penalty scored by Michael Lawton (Ards).
Ulster settled down and started to play some good rugby. Connacht still were using their backs well and only good defence prevented them from scoring.
Half way through the first half Nathan McMullan (Rainey) spotted a gap at the fringe of a ruck on the Ulster 10 metre line, split the Connacht defence and was hauled down a few metres short. Unfortunately the support arrived too late and Connacht cleared the danger.
All the time the Ulster confidence was increasing and when a ruck was set up following a good break by Jonathan Weir the ball was moved quickly to the right through many pairs hands for Dominic Gallagher (Lisburn) to score a brilliant, well deserved try on 34 minutes.
Connacht immediately reacted and attacked the Ulster line. The flat Ulster defence line was broken by a clever grubber and Shane Connneely (Corinthians) touched down with Kennedy adding the conversion.
Ulster 8 Connacht 14
The half time scorewas not a true reflection of the first half but the Ulster confidence was high.
Out half, Daniel Whitten was “playing the corners” well, putting Connacht under pressure and only through some good clearance kicks Connacht managed to clear their lines. The Ulster line outs were functioning well and the scrums were solid, so much so, that when on 7 minutes, Ulster were awarded a kickable penalty, Captain, Stephen Irvine (Banbridge) opted to kick for touch instead. Following a clean catch and drive, James Simpson (Ballynahinch) broke free and charged through the Connacht backs. Michael Lawton added the points.
Ulster 15 Connacht 14
Another great break by Michael Lawton, who had been having a great game at full back both in attack and defence, nearly resulted in a try but he ran out of support. Connacht replied and squandered a 3 man overlap with a knock on. Ulster cleared their line. On 25 minutes Connacht scored a try through their centre Griffin with Kennedy converting.
Ulster 15 Connacht 21
The Ulster coach Derek Suffern added fresh legs with Fergal Lynch and Ryan Hill replacing Jonathan Carscadden and Kenneth Pollin. The added impetus pushed Ulster into the Connacht 22. Again another good catch and drive from a line out resulted in try (spotted by the touch judge as the referee was unsighted) by Joshua Donaldson (Ballynahinch), Lawton added the difficult points
Ulster 22 Connacht 21
Connacht attacked the Ulster line. Four minutes into injury time, Connacht full back Brendan Carpenter (Westport) scored a try from a well rehearsed move. Kennedy converted and the referee blew the whistle for full time.
Ulster 22 Connacht 28 (Full time)
This was disappointing for Ulster who had played well. Connacht have now beaten all the Interprovincial teams and top the league table.
The Connacht Coaches were all praise for the Ulster team and said it had been their hardest match by far in the series. No other team had scored any points against them and realise they have had a lucky escape.

While Ulster have finished up at the bottom of the table they will now approach the Semi final next January with confidence in their ability.

The Semi Finals will be held on January 19th 2008

1.Connacht U18 Vs Ulster (Youth) Galway Kick off TBA

2.Leinster (Youth) Vs Munster (Youth) Venue and KO both TBA

Final January 26th January 2008 – Mullingar RFC

1. First place play off – Winner of 1 Vs Winner of 2

2. Third / fourth place play off – Loser of 1 Vs Loser of 2