15
ULSTER
RUGBY
INTER PRO
UPDATE
INTER PROVINCIAL SERIES
2014
Allen Clarke and Kieran Campbell’s charges
got their inter-provincial campaign off to the
perfect start with a bonus point 27-7 win
over Connacht at Kingspan Stadium last
Friday night.
Ulster enjoyed much of the possession and
territory in the first half but failed to convert
a number of scoring opportunities, Sean
O’Hagan’s penalty the only reward for their
dominance.
A strong second period yielded 24 points
that came courtesy of tries from Connor
Young, Adam Liddell, Jack Owens and
Lorcan Dow. O’Hagan converted two of the
scores.
The back three of Liddell, Owens and Jacob
Stockdale looked dangerous throughout
and look to have promising futures, while
up front, Lorcan Dow made his presence
felt with some strong carries and good
defensive work.
Ulster U19s fought hard against a resolute
Connacht team to secure a 24-17 triumph at
Belfast Harlequins RFC on Saturday.
The side, which contained a mix of school
and club players, took their time to settle
before opening up a 14 point gap, only
for that to be reduced to 7 late on. Jonny
Rossborough, Matt Fisher, Andrew Cordosi
and Adam McBurney scored the tries which
sealed a four try bonus, while Gareth Millar
converted two.
The Ulster Schools team scored four tries
in each half to register a comprehensive
53-0 win over Connacht in Ballinasloe on
Saturday afternoon.
Robert Lyttle scored a first half brace and
Conor Field and Fergus Jemphrey also
touched down to seal the bonus point by
half time. Jemphrey added his second after
the interval, with Conor Kelly, Ben O’Reilly
and Jack Howard also scoring. The rest of
the points came from the accurate boots of
Lyttle and Matthew McDowell.
The young Ulstermen produced a superb
performance and scored some incisive
tries but they can expect to face tougher
challenges in their remaining two fixtures.
Chris Parker and his assistants Gareth
Bronte and Jonny Graham, will hope their
training over the past few months (which
involved players from 22 different clubs)
will pay off when they start their campaign
tomorrow against Leinster at Navan RFC.
Ulster Women began their inter-pro series
in disappointing fashion, losing 0-22 to an
experienced Munster side in front of a good
crowd at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday
afternoon.
The damage was done in the first half as the
visitors scored three tries to earn a 17 point
advantage at the break. Munster got their
fourth try shortly after half time but Ulster
responded with a good spell, in which they
deserved a score of their own.
While the hosts were second best for much
of the game, the Ulster coaching staff will
draw plenty of positives from a spirited
second half performance.
There were some promising moments from
Queen’s University backs Peita McAlister
and Emma Jordan, two of four players to
make their first competitive start for the
Province
