Ulster Rugby vs Barbarians

Ulster Juniors secure second Inter-Pro series title in three years! CONGRATULATIONS ULSTER JUNIORS

JUNIOR INTER-PROVINCIAL SERIES ROUND 1: ULSTER 20-3 MUNSTER Following six weeks of intensive preparation under the guidance of new Head Coach Richard Boyd along with Michael Ferguson and Robert Ford, Ulster Juniors hosted reigning champions Munster at Randalstown RFC in the opening series game on Saturday 29th April. The large crowd had to wait 28 minutes for the first points of the game. Having spotted space behind the Munster defence, scrum-half Allen McCluggage’s kick turned their cover and winger Mitchell McComb showed his footballing skills and pace to touch down for an excellent try. McCluggage added the extra two points to give Ulster a well deserved 7-0 lead.  The Ulster forwards were dominating their Munster counterparts, however, the visitors responded when out-half John Lillis converted one of two penalty attempts to bring the score to 7-3. Ulster gained the initiative early in the second half, with McCluggage kicking two penalties to increase his team's lead to 13-3 after 50 minutes. The Ulster back row of Hughes, Andy McKeen and the formidable Andrew Kelly at number 8, got through an enormous amount of work, and with just minutes remaining, Ulster got their reward when second row Christie showed his athleticism to brush aside Munster centre Eoin O'Dwyer and storm in from the 22 metre line for a well- deserved try, which McCluggage converted. The forwards laid a great platform for the team to play with a high tempo and with a strong bench of replacements to call upon to maintain that pace and intensity, recording a solid opening win for the Ulstermen. JUNIOR INTER-PROVINCIAL SERIES ROUND 2: CONNACHT 5-34 ULSTER On Saturday 6th May, Ulster travelled to Ballina RFC to play Connacht. Ulster flew out of the blocks and produced a scintillating first half of rugby to set the foundations for a comfortable win.

Playing against a stiff breeze, Richard Boyd's side had a 24 point lead to show for a dominant opening 40 minutes. Back row Brian Hughes was on the end of two flowing moves to touch down twice, with Mikey Poskitt converting one of them to give Ulster a 12-0 lead after 10 minutes. Not to be outdone, fellow back rower Andy McKeen quickly got in on the try scoring action, again converted by Poskitt. Out-half Bokkie Carstens scored Ulster’s fourth try, converted by Poskitt and half back partner Ryan Garrett, controlled the game effectively as Ulster continued to make light of the breeze. Connacht rallied in the second half and came back strongly as they made a number of changes to their starting XV. However, Poskitt kept the scoreboard ticking over and nudged over another penalty. Out half Carstens scored Ulster’s fifth try of the afternoon, Poskitt again slotting the easy conversion to make it 34-0. Connacht did score a very late consolation try, intercepting the ball close to their own line as Ulster pressed yet again, almost running the full length before recycling the ball to score an unconverted try in the corner. JUNIOR INTER-PROVINCIAL SERIES ROUND 3: LEINSTER 34-15 ULSTER Ulster travelled to Longford RFC on Saturday 13th May to play Leinster in the final game of the series, knowing that a point would be enough to reclaim the series title. As in their previous two games, Ulster played into a very stiff wind in the first half, but the Ulster forwards demonstrated early in the game that they had complete control in the set piece, both in the scrum and at lineouts. Leinster opened the scoring on 17 minutes when second row Ronan Costello was on hand to pick and go from close range, following a penalty which gave the home side a lineout within the Ulster 22. Ulster responded straight away, putting huge pressure on the restart to regain the football. Ulster went through a series of plays, moving the ball around well, eventually getting it to right wing

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