Despite a dominant performance in the first half, Ulster bowed out of the Challenge Cup after being defeated in the Semi-Final by a resurgent Leicester side at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Friday evening. Ulster were under pressure early doors, from giant winger, Nemani Nadolo, who got over the ball to force a penalty in the 4th minute. George Ford was unable to land the three points, but got a second opportunity just two minutes later, and made no mistake. Ulster and John Cooney responded in kind, after Leicester were penalised for offside – Ulster’s scrum-half coolly slotting the penalty to bring the scores level. It looked like Ulster’s first try would come in the 12th minute, when Robert Baloucoune found his way over in the corner, but after a TMO check, a knock-on was spotted in the build-up. Ulster had a penalty however, for a Leicester player being caught offside. Ulster went on the attack, pressing Leicester’s defences. The hosts saw themselves without their captain, Tom Youngs for ten minutes following repeated infringements. Eventually, the Ulster men struck through skipper, Iain Henderson muscling over, ably assisted by Alan O’Connor and Nick Timoney. John Cooney landed the conversion. Four minutes later, George Ford brought the gap to four points through another penalty. It wasn’t long though before Ulster responded, creating an overlap for Billy Burns to sneak his way through for the visitors’ second try of the evening. The hosts started to pressure Ulster on their line, earning a scrum penalty just five metres out, but the men in red held firm, winning the scrum against the head, giving Billy Burns the chance to clear Ulster’s lines, and Leicester went in at the break not having scored a try in the first half. Leicester started the second half with intent; Head Coach, Steve Borthwick making changes in his front and back rows. They struck in the 44th minute through their Number Eight, Jasper Wiese at short range, and Ford converted. The Tigers made it a one-point game after Ulster were penalised for offside; Ford duly obliging with the three points. Momentum had now swung in the direction of the home side, and they took the lead in the 53rd minute through prop, Ellis Genge going in at the corner. George Ford extended the lead to six points with the conversion. Leicester continued to turn the screw on Ulster, George Ford opting for the drop-goal to stretch their lead to nine. Ulster replied through Nick Timoney, who ran a superb line through midfield to go on a thundering run on and crossing the whitewash for their third try. Michael Lowry slotted a beautiful conversion to bring it within two. The Tigers weren’t done yet, however, when they found numbers out wide and winger Guy Porter crossed over, with George Ford sealing the win with the conversion. Full-time score: Leicester Tigers 33 Ulster 24

WORTH ANOTHER LOOK

67 | WHAT A TRY! @NickTimoney runs a fantastic line through the middle and puts the head down to make it over the line! @michaellowry15 slots a beauty of a conversion!
🐅 26-24 🔴 | #LEIvULS #ChallengeCupRugby | #SUFTUMLive ⚪️🔴 pic.twitter.com/BD1RxPnipD — Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) April 30, 2021

SCORERS

Leicester Tries: Jasper Wiese, Ellis Genge, Guy Porter Cons: George Ford (3) Pens: George Ford (3) Drop Goals: George Ford Ulster Tries: Iain Henderson, Billy Burns, Nick Timoney Cons: John Cooney (2), Michael Lowry Pens: John Cooney

LINE-UPS

Leicester (15-9) Freddie Steward, Guy Porter, Matias Moroni, Matt Scott, Nemani Nadolo, George Ford, Richard Wigglesworth; (1-8) Ellis Genge, Tom Youngs (c), Dan Cole, Harry Wells, Calum Green, George Martin, Hanro Liebenberg, Jasper Wiese. Replacements: Charlie Clare, Luan de Bruin, Joe Heyes, Tomas Lavanini, Cyle Brink, Ben Youngs, Zack Henry, Kini Murimurivalu. Ulster (15-9) Jacob Stockdale, Robert Baloucoune, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Ethan McIlroy, Billy Burns, John Cooney; (1-8) Eric O'Sullivan, Rob Herring, Marty Moore, Alan O'Connor, Iain Henderson (c), Matt Rea, Jordi Murphy, Nick Timoney. Replacements: John Andrew, Andy Warwick, Tom O'Toole, Kieran Treadwell, Sean Reidy, Alby Mathewson, Michael Lowry, Will Addison.

SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION

Gutted for @UlsterRugby #SUFTUM https://t.co/eyY2wF2h7B
— Pete Snodden (@PeteSnodden) April 30, 2021

Gutted for @UlsterRugby the guys deserved more but put up great fight against a well drilled side. I will always #suftum win or lose 👊💪
— stephen rosbotham (@stephen_ur) April 30, 2021

Match Report | Leicester 33 Ulster 24

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