Battling against extremely wet conditions Connacht were first to put points on the scoreboard. After 15 minutes of play the visitors were awarded a penalty and Andy Dunne was on target to take the first 3 points. Seconds later both sides were down a man, as referee Peter Fitzgibbon awarded Robbie Morris a yellow card for foul play. He joined Ulster’s number 8 Stephen Ferris in the sin bin, who was penalised after only 8 minutes of play.

Both sides struggled to hold possession and although much of the first half was played inside the Ulster 22 neither side produced any solid scoring opportunities. Fly half Niall O’Connor stepped up to his second penalty attempt of the night just before the half time whistle securing the equalizer to bring the half time score to Ulster 3 v Connacht 3.

Conditions began to dry after half time and just minutes into the restart Connacht were awarded their third penalty of the night. Andy Dunne, who missed a penalty just before the half time whistle was off target again, and his third unsuccessful attempt just minutes later saw him replaced by Troy Nathan.

With 25 minutes left of play a long kick from Tommy Bowe brought play deep into Connacht’s half, a try looked imminent as Ulster continued to surge forward, initially unable to make the break through the Connacht defense. The first try of the night was eventually granted in the 61st minute after TMO confirmation following Ulster’s relentless attack, with Ulster’s Tom Court claiming the touchdown.

Paddy Wallace stepped up to convert and to bring the score line to Ulster 10 v Connacht 3

It was only a few minutes before Wallace extended the home sides lead with a well placed penalty. The Connacht pack were granted their own penalty with substitute Nathan Troy slotting his first kick of the night in the 72nd minute to bring the score to Ulster 13 v Connacht 6.

The Ulster victory was cemented with Bank of Ireland and Belfast Telegraph Man of the Match Matt McCullough barging over the touchline with only 2minutes left of play to extend the home side’s lead.

Final Score Ulster 18 v Connacht 6

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Ulster: B Cunningham; T Bowe, A Trimble, P Wallace, M Bartholomeusz; N O'Connor, I Boss; J Fitzpatrick, R Best (capt), T Court, J Harrison, C Del Fava, M McCullough, K Dawson, S Ferris.
Replacements: N Brady, B Young, R Caldwell, N Best, P Marshall, R Dewey, M McCrea.
Connacht: G Duffy; M Mostyn, M Deane, K Matthews, D Riordan; A Dunne, C McPhillips; B Wilkinson, A Flavin, R Morris; D Gannon, A Farley (capt); J Muldoon, J O'Connor, C Rigney.
Replacements: J Fogarty, R Loughney, A Browne, L Casserly, R Shaw, T Nathan, D Yapp.

Ulster fans cheer on the Ulstermen with their Bank of Ireland megaphones!