RUGBY: Ulster defeat Munster at Ravenhill
ULSTER 22 MUNSTER 6
Ulster hauled themselves off the bottom of the table with a desereved win over Provincial rivals, Munster, at Ravenhill on Saturday.
Two tries from Timoci Nagusa in the first half paved the way for the win, while Isaac Boss got a third try in the second.
The victory, Ulster's second of the season, moved them above Connacht and Newport Gwent Dragons.
Ulster made a blistering start and two penalties later, outhalf Niall O'Connor had what looked like relatively simple kick, but it was a shocking effort which went well wide of the target.
Then, after Timoci Nagusa failed to clear ball from his '22', opting to chip and chase, Munster were awarded a penalty which outhalf Paul Warwick slotted over with ease from the Ulster 10m line to open the scoring at 3-0 after five minutes.
There was a great burst from Ulster loose, David Pollock, which led to some good phases from the home Province, with Andrew Trimble and Rory Best involved, but Munster repelled the onslaught.
O'Connor limped off after 13 minutes, giving Ian Humphreys a golden chance at outhalf.
Darren Cave punched a hole in the visiting defence, but the follow up was poor but Ulster finally got on the scoreboard with an Ian Humphreys penalty after 23 minutes.
Better was to come when several more phases were rewarded when Paddy Wallace put winger, Timoci Nagusa away for a try under the posts, converted by Humphreys to make it 10-3.
Ryan Caldwell then foolishly shoulder charged Warwick and were sent to the bin, but Ulster remained on top in spite of the numerical disadvantage.
Wallace looked to have squeezed in after some great play from Trimble and a superb offload from Nagusa, but it went upstairs to the TMO. Wallace's foot was deemed to have slipped into touch.
However, the home support had something to cheer about, when Rory Best and Robbie Deck combined to send flying Fijian winger Nagusa away, really showing his speed to race in at the corner for a try which went unconverted by Humphreys.
But it gave Ulster a 15-6 interval lead.
It was not until late in the third quarter that Ulster really penetrated the visitors again. A cross field kick found the impressive Darren Cave and he beat one man but in the next tackle was held.
However, the centre got the offload away to Trimble but he was hauled down in the corner.
Just after the hour mark, Isaac Boss, who had replaced Willis, broke a tackle at the back of the scrum and tore away to the right. Warwick came across, but Boss powered through to get over for the try.
Humphreys put over a great conversion close to the touchline and Ulster were 22-6 ahead.
Ulster pressed for the try scoring bonus point at the end, but a golden opportunity went begging when a penalty to touch for the lineout short of the Munster line was stolen by the visitors.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
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