Match Report | Ulster A 37 Leinster A 14

Ulster maintained their unbeaten run of ‘A’ games this season, after defeating Leinster ‘A’ in a pulsating game at Kingspan Stadium on Friday afternoon.

The Ulster men enjoyed a large share of possession and territory in the opening quarter. It looked like Conor Rankin was in to score in the corner after a kick through from captain McCann, but the referee, Peter Martin and his assistant deemed it to be ‘no try’. However, the hosts were awarded a penalty in the build-up and were first to get on the scoreboard through a well-struck Bill Johnston penalty.

The Ulster forwards showed particularly impressive handling skills which asked questions of the Leinster defence. Ulster’s efforts eventually paid dividends when they were awarded a penalty and Bill Johnston made it a 6-point lead.

Ulster’s interplay excelled throughout the first half, with Izuchukwu in particular showing great awareness and hands in one particular passage of play. Johnston once again notched up another three points after Leinster were penalised for an off-side offence.

It took only 3 minutes into the second half for Ulster to strike; the midfield duo of Ben Carson and Hayden Hyde instrumental in Aaron Sexton’s score. Bill Johnston nailed the difficult conversion.

The visitors quickly responded however, through captain Jack Dunne forcing his way over at short-range. David Hawkshaw landed the conversion.

Leinster hit again in quick succession through centre Liam Turner after an initial break down the right wing by Sean O’Brien. Hawkshaw’s conversion was on-target.

The Ulster men dug in, and Callum Reid broke the tackle to go on a storming run, and did really well to bundle over. Johnston was accurate once again for the conversion.

The hosts were in the ascendency, Ben Moxham breaking the gain-line for Hayden Hyde to offload to Johnston, the fly-half kicking through for Aaron Sexton to collect the ball and get his second score of the afternoon. Johnston expertly added the extras.

Marcus Rea sealed it with a pick-up and drive over the line for Ulster’s fourth try. Bill Johnston made it 100% accuracy off the tee by landing the conversion.

Full-time score: Ulster 37 Leinster 14

SCORERS

Ulster

Tries: Aaron Sexton (2), Callum Reid, Marcus Rea

Conversions: Bill Johnston (4)

Penalties: Bill Johnston (3)

Leinster

Tries: Jack Dunne, Liam Turner

Conversions: David Hawkshaw (2)

LINE-UPS

Ulster

(15-9) Aaron Sexton, Ben Moxham, Hayden Hyde, Ben Carson, Conor Rankin, Bill Johnston, Nathan Doak;

(1-8) Gareth Milasinovich, Adam McBurney, Ross Kane, Cormac Izuchukwu, Conor McMenamin, Harry Sheridan, Marcus Rea, David McCann (Capt.).

Replacements from: Bradley Roberts, Callum Reid, Tom O’Toole, Reuben Crothers, James McCormick, Lewis Finlay, James Humphreys.

Leinster

(15-9) Max O’Reilly, Cian Kelleher, Jamie Osborne, Liam Turner, Niall Comerford, David Hawkshaw, Cormac Foley;

(1-8) Marcus Hanan, Dan Sheehan, Greg McGrath, Joe McCarthy, Jack Dunne (Capt.), Ryan Baird, Sean O’Brien, Alex Soroka.

Replacements: Lee Barron, Jack Boyle, Tom Clarkson, Mark Morrissey, Mark Hernan, Patrick Patterson, Tim Corkery, Chris Cosgrave.

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