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reduce Ulster’s lead to 14-13. Unfortunately in the final
ten minutes of the game Ulster conceded two penalties
and lost 14-19.
The second game was against Connacht at the
Sportsground, Galway. Ulster kicked off into a very
strong wind and were controlling the game by keeping
the ball tight and quickly contesting rucks and mauls
with the backs up early to the tackle line. However, it
was Connacht who took a 10-0 lead at half time. The
second half saw Ulster play with a lot of determination
which was rewarded by an early try, reducing the deficit
to 10-5. However, Connacht weathered the storm and
scored again before Ulster got a late try leaving the
score at 17-10 to Connacht.
The final match was against Leinster at Donnybrook in
Dublin. Both teams were out to prove a point having
lost both of their previous games. Ulster were finding it
difficult getting into the game and the opposition took
full advantage of their indecision to go ahead in the first
half with a penalty before crossing for two tries. Ulster
had their chances and were unfortunate that a push-
over try was disallowed due to knock-on in the in-goal
area. Trailing 15-0 at the break, Ulster started well in the
second half and reduced the deficit to ten points, but
unfortunalely fell away in the last fifteen minutes to lose
5-35.
ULSTER U18 (SCHOOLS)
Head Coach:
James Topping
Assistant Head Coach:
Bryan Young
Assistant Coaches:
Chris Nash / Gavin Murray
Lineout coach:
Franco van de Merve
Strength & Conditioning:
Matthew Maguire
Doctor:
Ryan Hamilton
Physio:
David Minion / Katie Lannon / Jason Patton
Resource Managers:
Dan Carson / Adrian Walker
/ Andy Weir
A squad of up to thirty six players took part in the eleven
week programme which included thirty three sessions
or matches. Training was based at Newforge and took
place on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays.
A squad of twenty nine players travelled to Felsted
School in mid-August to take part in a three day
camp culminating with a three session match against
Saracens Academy. The lead alternated between the
two sides with the Ulster team showing great character
to score at the end of the game to seal the win by 36-
34. This was a good opportunity for the players to get
to know each other well.
The first Inter-pro was against Munster at Pirrie Park.
An early Ulster score was not built on as Munster led
8-13 early in the second half before an Ulster try brought
the scores level, but Munster sealed an 18-15 victory
with a driven lineout. Opportunities to kick for goal
following penalty awards were turned down in favour
of going for lines-out in the corner, but these were not
converted into scores.
In the second match of the series in Donnybrook, two
tries by Leinster in the first half sealed the game. Ulster,
frustrated by missed opportunities, finally scored late
in the match after a red card saw Leinster reduced to
fourteen men, but Leinster secured a 10-5 win.
Against Munster at the Cork Institute of Technology,
Ulster lead match 8-7 after seventeen minutes but two
tries late in the half saw Munster lead 8-19 at half time.
In the second half Ulster dominated the territorially, with
the majority of the play being in the home side’s half of
the pitch, but Ulster were unable to seize opportunities
that came their way until an injury time try brought a
losing bonus point, going down 13-19.
In the fourth and final match, against Leinster at Pirrie
Park, Ulster fought back from 11-0 down to be only a
point behind. However the Leinster players responded
to score two further tries to win by 21-10.
The Inter Provincial Championship was won by Leinster.
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