The Front Row Union Sport - United Rugby Championship: Ulster 19 Cardiff 17

United Rugby Championship: Ulster 19 Cardiff 17

Apr 22, 2024

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On Friday evening Cardiff were the visitors to the Kingspan Stadium for a United Rugby Championship fixture against 6^th placed Ulster.

Theo Cabango scores the 2nd of his 2 tries

Both sides made early errors, but it was Cardiff who struck first when Theo Cabango when through a yawning gap in the Ulster defence to score. Tinus De Beer‘s conversion had Cardiff out to 7-0 after 12 minutes.

Nathan Doak added two 1st half penalty goals

It took until the 27^th minute for Ulster to register a score. Nathan Doak‘s penalty goal reduced the deficit to 3-7. A Doak 35^th minute penalty goal saw Ulster go into the changing rooms at halftime 6-7 down.

On 48 minutes Cabango out paced the Ulster Defence to dot down, under the posts. De Beer’s conversion gave Cardiff a 14-6 lead.

Ulster finally got over the Cardiff line. From a maul David McCann forced his way over, after 59 minutes. John Cooney‘s conversion reduced the deficit to 13-14.

Ulster led the game for the first time, 16-14, following Cooney’s 66^th minute penalty goal.

Cormac Izuchukwu’s last gasp tackle prevented a score in the corner

Only a despairing last gasp tackle by Cormac Izuchukwu prevented Thomas Young‘s score in the right corner.

A 71^st minute De Beer penalty goal put Cardiff back in the lead 17-16.

There was drama in the closing moments. Cabango appeared to have scored in the left corner, only for the TMO to draw the referee’s notice to a deliberate knock on by Cardiff, in their own 22. Cooney ran the clock down preparing for his shot at goal, then slotted the penalty goal to give Ulster a 19-17 win.

Listening to the supporters behind me all agreed that Ulster had played their ‘Get out of Jail’ card!

Despite the win Ulster drop to 10^th place in the URC Table.