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PRO12: Ulster 18 Leinster 24

by

John McMurtry

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I always find these match reports difficult to write up. It would be easy to blame the referee, who appeared out of his depth in the opening minutes, and point to a couple of instances where things didn’t go Ulster’s way as the turning points of the game, and there were a few, but I just can’t get it out of my mind that Ulster played the wrong game and when it comes to the big matches Anscombe has been out manoeuvred by his opposite numbers.

Yes, I think Ulster should have been awarded a penalty try at the third scrum on the 12th minute and yes, Robbie Diack should have scored five minutes later, yes I think Paddy Jackson had beaten the last line of defence before being hauled down and on another day could have been awarded a penalty try, yes I think Healy and Madigan should have been yellow carded for professional fouls and yes the lineout that they scored their second try from should have been a 22 drop out to Ulster, but them’s the breaks.

However this litany of could haves, should haves pails into insignificance compared to Ulster’s inability to . . .

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6 responses to “PRO12: Ulster 18 Leinster 24”

  1. Rob Kerry on Facebook

    I wonder if Sexton knew about ROG goin there? If he did makes sense of the massive salary to compensate!

    Reply
  2. junty

    Good Summary John – although the ref was bad / biased Ulster had the chances to put the Mexicans away and we didn’t do it. The other point I’ll make is the amount of time that Johnny Sexton takes to take a penalty it is always more than the 1 min allowed under the laws, this is never ‘penalised’ by the ref in disallowing the kick and awarding a scrum to the other side.

    Reply
    1. John

      You’re right Paul – though I don’t think Sexton is the worst. Mind you it may be part of the reason hes moving to France as they all take a long time add in the coaching from St ROG and it could be taking him 5min a kick!

      Reply
  3. Rob Kerry on Facebook

    Ref got 2 major calls completely wrong at critical points, was very quick to blow for Ulster not releasing, and as Andy Ward said bottled it for penalty try. Surely there should have been Non-Irish referees & linesmen. Nevermind the venue! Our front five bullied them, but I still think we don’t commit enough to the rucks at times, (same in the Hein quarterfinal) and Paul Marshall should’ve been used, but if we give away stupid pens, esp Tom Court comin in from side (twice!) and don’t take our chances….? If we had we’d have won by 5points min!
    A great day out Ulster Support was OUTSTANDING and made RDS feel like Ravenhill. Favorite part of the match 9500 ulster fans chanting “Ref have you changed your name to CLANCY!”
    SUFTUM

    Reply
  4. William Chapman on Facebook

    Great article, but Im still gonna blame the ref.

    Reply
  5. Philip Grattan on Facebook

    This is the most accurate match report I have read. SUFTUM

    Reply

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