Match Report | Ulster A 22 Munster A 10

Ulster made it two wins from two games in the ‘A’ Inter-Provincial series, defeating Munster by 22-10 at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday.

Despite being a friendly fixture, there was plenty of bite in this game. Ulster spent the first ten minutes with the lion’s share of the territory, keeping Munster pinned back through some probing kicks to the corner from Bill Johnston. However, Munster’s defence kept the Ulster men out.

Munster were first to register on the scoreboard on 20 minutes, however, after Liam Coombes made a break down the left wing to send full-back Darren Sweetnam in under the Ulster posts. Jake Flannery added the conversion to put Munster 7 ahead.

Ulster responded 8 minutes later. After a series of pick-and-goes from the Ulster forwards, Cormac Izuchukwu did really well to muscle his way over for Ulster’s first try. Bill Johnston landed the conversion to bring the scores level.

Jake Flannery and Bill Johnston exchanged a penalty respectively just before the break for half-time, leaving nothing between the two sides.

Half-time score: Ulster A 10 Munster A 10

Bill Johnston was again pin-point with his kicking to the corner in the first few minutes of the second half, but the Ulster men were unable to capitalise initially.

The men in red looked close to scoring but excellent defensive work at the breakdown form the Ulster forwards earned a turnover on their line. The hosts soon followed this up with a scrum penalty, and Bill Johnston duly obliged to kick for touch.

The Ulster pack showed great skill in the build-up to their second try, with David McCann making a fantastic offload to Cormac Izuchuckwu. After a series of forward carries, Conor McMenamin struck at close-range. The flags stayed down for the conversion attempt.

Aaron Sexton was next to get his name on the scoresheet in the 62nd minute, after making a break just inside the Munster half, before going on a searing run through to dot down under the posts. Johnston landed the conversion.

Ulster looked set to score in the final few minutes after a wonderful intercept from Conor McMenamin put Ulster on the front foot, but after going out wide, a knock-on scuppered Ulster’s chances to add to their final tally.

Full-time score: Ulster 22 Munster 10

SCORERS

Ulster

Tries: Cormac Izuchukwu, Conor McMenamin, Aaron Sexton

Cons: Bill Johnston (2)

Penalties: Bill Johnston

Munster

Tries: Darren Sweetnam

Cons: Jake Flannery

Penalties: Jake Flannery

LINE-UPS

Ulster

(15-9) Ethan McIlroy, Conor Rankin, Ben Moxham, Hayden Hyde, Aaron Sexton, Bill Johnston, Lewis Finlay;

(1-8) Callum Reid, Adam McBurney, Ross Kane, Cormac Izuchukwu, Conor McMenamin, David McCann (Capt.), Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: James McCormick, Kyle McCall, Gareth Milasinovich, Harry Sheridan, George Saunderson, Nathan Doak, Bruce Houston, Bradley Roberts.

Munster

(15-9) Darren Sweetnam, Sean French, Dan Goggin, Jack Crowley, Liam Coombes, Jake Flannery, Nick McCarthy;

(1-8) Liam O’Connor, Diarmuid Barron, Roman Salanoa, Paddy Kelly, Thomas Ahern, Tommy O’Donnell (Capt.), Chris Cloete, Jack O’Sullivan.

Replacements from: Scott Buckley, James French, Mark Donnelly, Keynan Knox, Cian Hurley, Jack Daly, Alex Kendellen, Ben Murphy, Ethan Coughlan, Conor Phillips, Alan Flannery, Jonathan Wren.

The post Match Report | Ulster A 22 Munster A 10 appeared first on Ulster Rugby.