Ulster lost their opening fixture in the European Cup at a wind swept Ravenhill on Friday night, suffering the double indignity of Saracens securing a bonus point win in the process.
However while the visitors, under the guidance of “Ulster Old Boy” Mark McCall, did what they had to do, Ulster can take some comfort from the fact that they were largely the authors of their own misfortune as their impressive forward effort was undone by shoddy defence in the back line.
Ulster (9) 9
PEN: Paddy Jackson (2). DG: Paddy Jackson.
Saracens (5) 27
TRY: Chris Wyles, Alex Goode, Duncan Taylor, Billy Vunipola. CON: Owen Farrell (2). PEN: Owen Farrell.
Certainly there didn’t seem to be too many issues in the opening exchanges as Ulster ground out a nine point lead in the first 25 minutes, thanks to Paddy Jackson slotting over two penalties and a drop goal. Scrums were fine, Big Nick Williams was on the rampage and the back row were getting on top at the breakdown.
Ulster, though not in total control, looked comfortable but it all changed four minutes later when errors from Cave then Trimble and finally Ludik saw Chris Wyles crossing out wide for the opening try of the game.
Instead of defending a 9, 12 or 15 point lead, as they turned to face the elements, Ulster’s advantage was reduced to four points and it was here that the game was lost. Ulster held out until the 60th minute but a lucky bounce and some slick passing saw Saracens take the lead, as Alex Goode crossed for a converted try, and once in front Saracens began to turn the screw.
Ulster needed to score next but found themselves defending their line and, when the onrushing Pienaar missed his man, the Saracens out half Owen Farrell spotted the vacated space to send Duncan Taylor through for their third.
Game over. Ulster fell apart from then on, conceding a penalty, from Farrell, and a fourth try, from Billy Vunipola as Saracens wrapped up their bonus point win in a hard to watch final quarter!
Final Score: Ulster 9 Saracens 27
Ulster: Louis Ludik, Andrew Trimble, Darren Cave, Stuart McCloskey, Craig Gilroy, Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar, Callum Black, Rory Best, Wiehahn Herbst, Dan Tuohy, Franco vd Merwe, Iain Henderson, Chris Henry, Nick Williams. Replacements: Kyle McCall, Rob Herring, Ricky Lutton, Robbie Diack, Roger Wilson, Paul Marshall, Ian Humphreys, Peter Nelson
Saracens: Alex Goode, Chris Ashton, Duncan Taylor, Brad Barritt, Chris Wyles, Owen Farrell, Richard Wigglesworth, Mako Vunipola, Schalk Brits, Petrus du Plessis, George Kruis, Maro Itoje, Michael Rhodes, Jacques Burger, Billy Vunipola. Replacements: Jamie George, Rhys Gill, Juan Figallo, Alistair Hargreaves, Jackson Wray, Neil de Kock, Charlie Hodgson, Marcelo Bosch.
This game couldn’t have come at a worse time for Ulster and a it certainly didn’t help that they faced the ultimate “boundary pushing” team who thrive on stopping other teams play. Saracens fed of Ulster’s mistakes but, looking at the match with some optimism, Ulster have a lot more scope for improvement than their opponents and I for one am looking forward to the return match. Over to you Mr Kiss! #SUFTUM
Picture: Word Cloud of Ulster supporters comments on Facebook!
