BKT-URC Ulster Rugby Match Day Programme v Cardiff

first penalty of the match. From the lineout
maul, Peceli Yato, found space and dotted
down for the home side’s first of the day.
Anthony Belleau converted the score.
Ulster found the scoreline slipping away,
after conceding two penalties that were
taken by Belleau.
With the home side in the ascendancy,
Pita-Gus Sowakula, scored the home
side’s second converted try to leave Ulster
cursing their errors in the half.
With the clock in the red, Ulster refused
to end the half quietly and were rewarded
for their efforts. Another try from Nick
Timoney, after a well- executed lineout in
the Clermont 22 narrowed the score line
going into the break, with John Cooney
adding the extra two points from an
awkward angle.
Half-Time: 20-14
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53 - 14
didn’t stop the French getting their first
try of the half moments later.
Full back-Alex Newsome punished Ulster
on the left wing, after some slick passing
between the Clermont backs on the left
wing. Newsome was sent clear and sprinted
through for a simple finish. Belleau made
no mistake from the tee.
Ulster’s European campaign came to an
end against Clermont, who advanced to
the semi-finals of the EPCR Challenge
Cup after a seven- try victory against the
province at Stade Marcel-Michelin.
Despite a competitive first half that saw
Ulster trail the home side by just six points,
Clermont impressed in the second half with
four tries that ended the contest.
Richie Murphy’s team started fast out of
the blocks, building some good attacking
phases through good quick ball and
accurate passing. The Ulster men were
meeting the physical battle head on, with
both sides working hard in the breakdown
as they looked for the upper hand. Ulster
also enjoyed some success at scrum-time,
with Ulster’s forward pack looking strong
at the set piece.
Ulster received an early blow, with fullback,
Stewart Moore, withdrawn just five
minutes into the contest. Ethan McIlroy
replaced the Ballymoney man, which
would leave the province with one back
option on the bench, given the 6:2 split.
Ulster struck the first blow of the Quarter-
Final, and were good value for their lead.
Ulster’s in-form back-rower, Nick Timoney,
dotted the ball down after a 5m tap and
go penalty, with John Cooney adding the
extra two from the tee.
The home side got back level quickly,
punishing Ulster, who had given away their
Ulster made one change in coming out
for the restart, with Dave Ewers replacing
captain, Iain Henderson, due to a foot injury.
After the break, the home side made a
dominant start to the half, furthering the
score line a few minutes after the restart.
A penalty opportunity was missed by
Belleau after a handful of minutes but that
Ulster received further injury blows in the
minutes to follow, with try-scorer, Nick
Timoney, and Steven Kitshoff, both being
withdrawn due to injury.
The contest felt put to bed when the
impressive Clermont eight, Pita-Gus
Sowakula, powered over the line from a
5m lineout.
Further tries from Simmons, Yato and
Jurand added to Clermont’s commanding
lead, as they put on a show in front of their
fans in the French sunshine.
The province had chased a consolation try
towards the end of the 80, but replacement
prop, Scott Wilson,’s dive over the top of
the Clermont rear-guard was held up well.
Full-time: 53-14
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