Half Time: Connacht 3 -6 Ulster
Just moments into the second half Irish flanker Neil Best was sent to the sin bin for ten minutes for being offside, Connacht took full advantage of Ulster being down to 14 men with centre Danny Riordan touching down, Dunne converted and Connacht lead 10-6.
Ulster did not let their heads drop and following an Ulster scrum a well worked blindside move resulted in a try for Kieron Dawson, Wallace converted and Ulster were back in front, 10-13. Connacht were awarded a penalty moments later and equalized with Ulster, the score stood 13 all.
Two minutes later Ulster were awarded a penalty and took the lead again, Wallace securing the 3 points. Connacht 13 -16 Ulster. With pressure mounting on the Connacht defense Italian Lock Carlo Del Fava took his chance and ran over for points in the 63rd minute. Wallace converted Del Fava’s try and the score stood at Connacht 13 – 23 Ulster.
With the final whistle fast approaching Ulster Number 8 Roger Wilson scored with Wallace converting the try, sealing the Westerners fate and lifting the Ulstermen off the bottom of the league table.
Paddy Wallace who kicked 15 points for Ulster was named a well deserved Magners Man of the Match.
Ulster Rugby Photographer and supporter John Dickson said this of the performance “It was great to be in Galway to cheer the boys on. It was a solid 2nd half performance to score 3 tries. The team fought hard to the very end which was heartening to see because Connacht were really up for this one”
Connacht: G Duffy; A Wynne, D Riordan, M Deane, O Treviranus; T Donnelly, C McPhillips; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Morris; M Swift, A Farley (cpt); M McCarthy, J O'Connor, J Muldoon.
Replacements: J Merrigan, R Loughney, A Browne, R Ofisa, C O'Loughlin, A Dunne, D Yapp.
Ulster: M Bartholomeusz; T Bowe, A Trimble, P Steinmetz, S Danielli; P Wallace, I Boss; J Fitzpatrick, R Best (cpt), B Young, M McCullough, C Del Fava, N Best, K Dawson, R Wilson.
Replacements: N Brady, D Fitzpatrick, R Caldwell, D Pollock, K Campbell, N O'Connor, R Dewey.
Tickets are still on sale for Ulster v Edinburgh at Ravenhill on Friday night, Ulster Rugby have put two ticket offers in place for this fixture including a limited number of terrace tickets available online for just £10 and special youth group offers. To learn more please CLICK HERE
