Friendly: Ulster U19 24 IQ Rugby U19 7

On Thursday, at noon, Ulster U19 played Irish Qualified U19, in a pre season friendly at Newforge Country Club. Both sides had enlarged 28 man squads, so the game was played over 3 x 25 minute periods, to ensure all squad members had game time.

Both defences were tested from kick off, with a series of forward drive. After 9 minutes Ulster broke through, when Ben Gibson carved a gap in the IQ defence to score towards the left corner. Tristan Ferguson converted to give Ulster a 7-0 lead.

Ulster continued to exert pressure, but IQ began to gain territory and possession. From a series of forward drives, close to the Ulster line, Nick Murphy drove over, close to the posts, after 20 minutes. Daniel Green converted to leave the score 7-7, at the end of the 1^st period.

A number of changes were made to the playing personnel, at the break and it was essentially 2 different sides who took the field in the 2^nd period.

Ulster made possession pay in the 2^nd minute, when Michael Burnett got over in the right corner for an unconverted try.

9 minutes later Bryn Ward powered over for a try on the right, converted by Charlie Beattie to put Ulster 19-7 up.

A rampant Ulster starved IQ of possession and Rory Ellerby’s dash to the line from distance, for an unconverted try, crowned a dominant 2^nd period, 24-7.

In the 3^rd period, both sides made a further raft of changes, and continuity was lost. Though both teams had chances, the 3^rd period was scoreless. 

Ulster were well worth their victory and look forward to the visit of Munster U19 on 5^th August.

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