Ulster equal unbeaten home record with crucial PRO14 win over Cheetahs

Ulster equalled their unbeaten home record of 21 games with a deserved win over Toyota Cheetahs in Belfast on Saturday night.

More importantly Ulster got the win they needed to stay second in the Guinness PRO14 Conference A putting 10 points between them and the South Africans, who dropped to fourth place as Glasgow Warriors moved up a notch after their win at home against Dragons.

It was a huge night for former Ulster star Ruan Pieannar, who was making his first appearance since he left the Province three years ago.

He received a standing ovation from the crowd when he emerged for the warm-up, again when he led his side out and two minutes from the end when he was replaced.

Ulster soaked up a lot of early pressure from the South African visitors, their defence holding firm.

The hosts lost prop Marty Moore to a HIA after just five minutes giving an early call from the bench of Tommy O’Toole.

Within three minutes the tighthead was crossing the line as Ulster launched an exciting first attack and O’Toole crashed over from close range near the posts. It was his first PRO14 try.

Outhalf Bill Johnston converted for a 7-0 lead.

Cheetahs put on another period of pressure and Ulster’s ill discipline, which haunted them in Swansea a week earlier during the surprise loss to Ospreys, returned, with three consecutive penalties given away.

However, the visitors were unable to make three penalties to touch and mauls count and Johnston made it 10-0 with a penalty effort when Ulster launched an assault after 35 minutes.

Just before that Dave Shanahan had reason to smile as he ripped a ball from Ruan Pienaar to force the first penalty which eventually led to the goal from Johnston.

Pienaar did have the final say in the first half, kicking a long range penalty - the crowd unsure how to react as the former Kingspan favourite finally opened the Cheetahs’ account and take them into the break trailing 10-3.

Ulster made a solid start to the second half, the pack pressing their case in the corner.

A third penalty infringement by the visitors saw hooker Wilmur Anoldi off to the sin-bin and from the lineout Ulster showed variation, switched deep to Johnston and he put over a lovely crossfield kick which Robert Baloucoune gathered and raced in unopposed for the try.

Johnston’s sublime touchline conversion pushed the Ulster lead to 17-3 after 47 minutes.

Johnston kicked a penalty on the hour to make it 20-3 but their somewhat convservative approach held them back from pushing on.

And the Cheetahs, who continued to spurn chances, were glad to still be in the game, fullback Clayton Blommetjies going over for a try which Pienaar converted to put 10 points between the sides with 14 minutes to go.

Ulster did press for another try, a crossfield kick just eluding the grasp of replacement winger Craig Gilroy two minutes into added time.

TEAMS

Ulster: Michael Lowry, Robert Baloucoune, Luke Marshall, James Hume, Louis Ludik, Bill Johnston, David Shanahan; Eric O'Sullivan, Adam McBurney, Marty Moore, Alan O'Connor (CAPT), Kieran Treadwell, Nick Timoney, Jordi Murphy, Marcell Coetzee.

Replacements: John Andrew, Andrew Warwick, Tom O'Toole, David O'Connor, Sean Reidy, Jonny Stewart, Stewart Moore, Craig Gilroy.

Toyota Cheetahs: Clayton Blommetjies, Rhyno Smith, William Small-Smith, Benhard Janse van Rensburg, Craig Barry, Tian Schoeman, Ruan Pienaar (CAPT); Boan Venter, Wilmar Arnoldi, Luan de Bruin, Sintu Manjezi, Walt Steenkamp, Chris Massyn, Junior Pokomela, Jasper Wiese.

Replacements: Joseph Dweba, Charles Marais, Aranos Coetzee, JP du Preez, Aidon Davis, Tian Meyer, Louis Fouche, Chris Smit.