Despite the return of Ulster's world cup contingent, could only manage to come away from Parc y Scarlets with a losing bonus point, and they were fortunate to get that.
Andrew Trimble was one of the few who played for the shirt, and continued to look for every opportunity throughout the game as a crossfield kick from Pienaar caught the Scarlets out and allowed the onrushing Trimble to touch the ball down one-handed as the Scarlets expected it to roll out of play
The weather didn't help, but the Scarlets wanted it more, and Ulster let them settle into attacking mode, their defensive play letting them down, something that hasn't been addressed adequately enought these last four games. Where do we go from here Mac.
A late effort from Pedrie Wannaburg was too little too late as Ulster were literally run round by Treviso. 3 straight defeats for Ulster as Treviso made it three from the last three, and continued their roll.
This lacklustre performance did not sit well with the Ravenhill faithfull, and if things couldn't get any worse, Jared Payne is rupured his achilles tendon after 17 minutes.
Treviso wanted this game more than Ulster, and it was only with a 20 points to nil whitewash staring them in the face that galvanised something of a comeback, with two tries in the last five minutes.
This is a game many would like to forget, and with the return of our Irish and S. African contingent, perhaps we can put it behind us sooner rather than later.
Ulster (15 - 9) J Payne; C Gilroy, D Cave, N Spence, I Whitten; I Humphreys, P Marshall (1 - 8) D Fitzpatrick, A Kyriacou, J Cronin; T Barker, D Tuohy; P Wannenburg, M McComish, C Henry(c)
Replacements (16 - 23) N Brady, K McCall, A Macklin, L Stevenson, R Diack, I Porter, P Jackson, A D'Arcy
... at least by this reporter, as the Dragons not only beat Ulster but punished them by capitalising on mistakes and indiscipline to give Ulster a second defeat in two games.
It started so well, with youngster Paddy Jackson giving Ulster an early 3 point lead but a portent of what was to come, allowed the Dragons to come back into it through two Jason Tovey penalties.
With Nevin Spence being sent off, and unremarkable refereeing, Ulster struggled to escape being penalised. Late efforts in the second to score were denied, and the gap couldn't be closed leading to a second loss on Welsh soil.
Ulster made an impressive start to the game as they scored their first try after just three minutes. Fly-half Paddy Jackson exposed a gap in the Ospreys backline to go over and he easily made the conversion.
It didn't take long for the Ospreys to come back as Ulster gave away several penalties in kickable range making it 12-7 by half-time.
In the second period, Ulster continued to self-destruct. Robbie Diack was sin-binned and the Ospreys were awarded a penalty try. The game was sewn up with another penalty and a second Ospreys try to put them ahead 32-7 before Ulster were also awarded a penaty try, followed by a conversion from new cap James McKinney on his debut.
Ulster
(15 - 9) J Payne; C Gilroy, N Spence, L Marshall, I Whitten; P Jackson, P Marshall
(1 - 8) D Fitzpatrick, A Kyriacou, J Cronin; L Stevenson, D Tuohy; P Wannenburg, C Henry (c), R Diack<
Replacements (16 - 23) N Brady, P McAllister, A Macklin, T Barker, W Faloon, B McIlroy, J McKinney, A D'Arcy
An impressive debut by new signing Jared Payne helped Ulster to a superb victory over the league leaders Cardiff Blues.
Ulster and Cardiff have had a similar start to the season, winning two out of two against Italian and Scottish opponents, and tonight was seen as a real test for the men in white.
A rejuvenated Darren Cave scored both Ulster tries which were ably converted by I Humphreys, who also kicked one penalty, although missed three, on a very dismal night weather-wise.
Increasing desperation from the Blues saw Xavier Rush binned in the 54th minute for a high tackle on Pedrie Wannenburg. Further worries for Ulster saw Cave and Humphreys leave the field injured. Jackson scored a penalty near the end to take the final score to 20 - 3.
Replacements: D'Arcy for Cave (41), Jackson for Humphreys (74), Porter for P Marshall (67), McAllister for Fitzpatrick (52), Brady for Kyriacou (64), Macklin for Cronin (79), McComb for Tuohy (79), McComish for Diack (64).
In front of a crowd of around 3,000, Ulster made it two wins out of two during a hard fought game against a battling Aironi.
Ulster looked the better team, with demonstrations of good set iece moves, and ball handling skills to put three tries past Aironi. The Italians kept up the pressure, and forced Ulster into several penalties which they converted keeping the gap closed.
With I Humph on kicking duties, a poor start saw him miss some easier conversions, but make some astonishingly accurate long distance penalties to keep the Ulstermen in front in fine style.
The trio of Ulster tries were scored by Tuohy, Whitten and Gilroy, while prop Jerry Cronin was sinbinned with five minutes remaining on the clock.
A young Ulster side beat a young Glasgow Warriors side in the opening round of the RaboDirect Pro12 league with a good blend of enthusiasm and seasoned professional rugby.
Tries by Marshall, Cave and Henry who also won Man of the Match, and 2 conversions and 3 penalties by Humphreys enabled ulster to stay on top after Glasgow took an initial lead on 8 minutes..
Chris Henry commented, "We were a bit rusty, but the plan was to get the win"
"It is disappointing the fourth try did not come but, for a first outing, we will take the win."
Ulster: A D'Arcy, C Gilroy, D Cave, N Spence, I Whitten, I Humphreys, P Marshall; P McAllister, A Kyriacou, J Cronin, L Stevenson, D Tuohy, P Wannenburg, W Faloon, C Henry (cpt).
Replacements: N Brady, C Carey, A Macklin, N McComb, R Diack, I Porter, P Jackson, P Nelson.
Glasgow Warriors: S Hogg, T Seymour, R Dewey, T Nathan, C Shaw, D Weir, C Gregor, J Welsh, P MacArthur, M Cusack, T Ryder, R Harley (capt), J Eddie, C Fusaro, R Wilson
Replacements: F Gillies, R Grant, E Kalman, N Campbell, R Pitman, H Pyrgos, P Horne, F Aramburu.
Ulster are once again in a tough pool 4 for this years Heineken Cup.
Heineken Cup POOL 4
Pos
Team
Pl
W
D
L
Pts
1
Aironi Rugby
0
0
0
0
0
2
ASM Clermont Auvergne
0
0
0
0
0
3
Leicester Tigers
0
0
0
0
0
4
Ulster Rugby
0
0
0
0
0
Round 1 sees Ulster play ASM Clermont Auvergne on the 12th November 2011 kick off 15.40
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Happy Halloween from the UAFC and Kukri
Despite being treated to scarey behaviour from the Ulster team these past four games,... we have another give away from the UAFC nad Kukri. Try your hand and answer our spooky question to win an Ulster Storm Jacket and help keep the cold demons out on a typical Ravenhill winter evening.
Henry extends his contract until 2013
Ulster's Chris Henry has agreed a two-year contract extension which will see him continue to play for the red hand until at least June 2014.
The former Ireland international joined Ulster on a development contract in 2006 before signing with the Province in 2007-08.
Chris made 29 appearances for Ulster last season, more than any other player with the exception of Pedrie Wannenburg who also made 29.
Jared Payne joins Ulster with a three month contract from the Auckland Blues.
Jared Payne joins Ulster with a three month contract from the Auckland Blues. Seen as a big loss down under, Payne is a quality utility back, most at home at full-back, although has experience at centre and on the wing.
Join the URSC!
The URSC have launched a brand new website with ticket info, travel updates, events' news and much, much more. Click the logo to have a look!
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