Ulster U20’s narrowly lost out 15 -18 to a physical Leinster side at Ravenhill on Friday evening.
The home side started well looking to move their bigger opponents around the pitch and after barging runs, from Charlie Simpson, Andrew Warwick and Dave McGuigan, Ulster’s Captain Luke Marshall forced his way over the line for the opening score. Paddy Jackson was unlucky to hit the post with his conversion attempt but the young outhalf made amends soon after with a penalty to give Ulster a deserved 8 – 0 lead.
Ulster continued to dominate the opening exchanges with the back row of McGuigan, Dominic Gallagher and Calum Threlfor particularly impressive but as the half went on the Leinster side managed to work their way back into the game with outhalf Cathal Marsh adding two penalties for their efforts taking the half time score to 8 – 6.
Ulster tried to re-establish their lead at the start of the second half but the pack looked to be struggling in the loose against their heavier opponents and some wayward kicking and disappointing lineouts allowed the visitors to dominate possession.
Leinster winger Andrew Boyle eventually found himself in space to go over for a try and with Marsh adding the extras Leinster took an 8 – 13 lead. The visitors continued to press hard for the next twenty minutes but it looked like it might be Ulster’s night with Marsh missing two straightforward penalties and the home side looking dangerous on the break. However, after a period of sustained pressure Leinster’s Eoin Joyce forced his way over for a decisive 10 point lead.
Ulster raised themselves for a late rally and, finally learning that possession is king, kept the ball in the pack for an up-field rumble. After two impressive scrums they eventually forced their way over the line for Stephen Irvine to touch down. Jackson added the conversion to take the final score to 15 -18.
ULSTER U20: Charlie Simpson, Chris Colvin, Stewart McIlwaine, Luke Marshall, Michael McAuley, Paddy Jackson, Conor Spence, Andy Warwick, Jonny Murphy, Kyle McCall, David Whan, Iain Henderson, Calum Thelfor, Dominic Gallagher, David McGuigan, Darryl Maxwell, Conor Carey, Adam Best, Stephen Irvine, Stephen Leckey, Blane McIlroy, Chris Leathem
LEINSTER U20: Michael Sherlock, Sam Coghlan-Murray, Alex Kelly, Colin O’Shea, Andrew Boyle, Michael McGrath, Cathal Marsh, Patrick O’Driscoll, Peter Du Toit, Peter Reilly, Tadhg Furlong, David Doyle, Martin Moore, Michael Kearney, Robert Hynes, Eoin Joyce, Patrick Dix, Mark McGroarty, Jordi Murphy
