The Front Row Union Sport - PRO12: Munster 32 Ulster 28

PRO12: Munster 32 Ulster 28

Nov 2, 2015

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Ulster blew another away game ending up just on the wrong side of a nine try thriller.

I thoroughly enjoyed the game “live” and left Thomond reasonably satisfied with the performance but having reviewed the match again on iPlayer I find myself a touch frustrated that Ulster didn’t return with the five points.

Munster (19) 32

TRY: Andrew Conway, Robin Copeland, Gerhard vd Heever, Denis Hurley, Simon Zebo. PEN: Ian Keatley. CON: Ian Keatley (2).

Ulster (18) 28

TRY: Craig Gilroy (2), Nick Williams, Dan Tuohy. PEN: Paddy Jackson. CON: Paddy Jackson. DG: Paddy Jackson.

The visitors certainly played enough rugby to win the game, enjoying the lions share of territory and possession, but poor work at the breakdown, coupled with a Man of the Match display from Munster’s CJ Stander, and some shocking defence let the home side squeak home.

The northern province got off to the best of starts as Craig Gilroy sprinted seventy yards to touch down after good work by McCloskey and Cave. Munster looked rattled but eventually regrouped to send Andrew Conway over following a missed tackle from Gilroy. Ian Keatley converted to give the home side a two point lead.

Paddy Jackson restored the visitors lead minutes later and it looked as though Ulster would cut loose as Gilroy crossed for his second after Ulster hammered the Munster defence.

However two defensive lapses swung the impetus Munster’s way as a mix up in midfield saw Robin Copeland sprint clear for their second try and minutes later Gerhard Van der Heever skinned Andrew Trimble to cross out wide. Keatley converted the first to give the home side a 19 – 13 lead.

There was still time for Nick Williams to cross at the back of a maul, for the second match in succession, and the teams turned round with Munster leading 19 – 18.

Ulster edged ahead after the restart with Jackson slotting over a drop goal but the second half was unsatisfactory as Ulster looked prepared to let the wind do the work.

Before they knew it Munster were racing for the finish line as a Keatley penalty was followed by tries from Denis Hurley and Simon Zebo, to move the home side eleven points clear, but stung into action Ulster responded with Tuohy crossing out wide for Ulster’s bonus point try.

Jackson converted from a difficult angle to make it a four point game with ten minutes left but Ulster lacked the composure in the closing minutes to snatch the win.

Ulster: Peter Nelson, Craig Gilroy, Darren Cave, Stuart McCloskey, Andrew Trimble, Paddy Jackson, Paul Marshall, Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Wiehahn Herbst, Lewis Stevenson, Franco vd Merwe, Roger Wilson, Sean Reidy, Nick Williams. Replacements: John Andrew, Callum Black, Ricky Lutton, Dan Tuohy, Chris Henry, Paul Rowley, Ian Humphreys, Sam Arnold.

Photo credit: BBC Sport.