Benetton 10 – 36 Leinster
Dragons 32 – 32 Ulster
Another round another entertaining Ulster match that goes to the wire. This week they share the spoils with Dragons. Ulster started the better and had a man advantage when Jack Dixon was sent to the bin, Leli’ifano knocked over the resulting penalty. Craig Gilroy got the games first try, but after that Ulster took their foot off the pedal. Matthew Screech got over for Dragons, with Gavin Henson kicking the conversion, and then a penalty to put the Welsh side ahead. Ashton Hewitt touched down to extend the lead, but Ulster would wake up and a penalty try got them level. The highlight of the first half was the ref trying to sort out the scrum, urging the players to play the game saying, “it’s a wonderful game”, that it is. At Halftime the sides were level at 15 – 15.
Ulster scored as soon as the first half began with Paul Marshall getting over. Craig Gilroy added another ten minutes later after sustained pressure to secure the BP. Once again, the Dragons came back into it, scoring 17 unanswered points. They got trues through Liam Belcher, Angus O’Brien, and Ashton Hewitt. Ulster attacked and Craig Gilroy got over, put the try was ruled out for a forward pass. Ulster wouldn’t be denied with Leali’ifano crossing the line, the conversion sailed wide meaning both sides took 3 points from the game.
Zebre 24 – 10 Connacht
At halftime Zebre led with Carlo Canna kicking two penalties. The second came after Zebre got over the line but were held up. Connacht would have to begin the second half a man down with Eoghan Masterson being shown a yellow. Connacht took the lead despite this when Tom Farrells try was converted by Steve Crosbie. Canna and Carty exchanged penalties, and that would be the last time Connacht found themselves ahead. Johan Meyer touched down to put the Italians back in front, Canna converted and then kicked a drop goal. Giovanbattista Venditti touched down from the restart to secure the victory. Zebre ended the game with 14 players because Tommaso Boni was shown a yellow card.
Munster 36 – 10 Ospreys
Munster were comfortable winners over an Ospreys side that have been disappointing this season. Ian Keatley got them off the mark with an early penalty. Ten minutes later Will Jones was sent to the bin and Sammy Arnold touched down from the resulting play, Keatley added the conversion. Sweetnam and Cloete got further tries, Jeff Hassler would get one back for the Welsh side to close out the half. The second half saw two more tries for Munster, Rory Scannell and Jack O’Donoghue touching down. O’Donoghue was shown a yellow card late on, Ospreys took advantage with Will Jones getting over the line.
Toyota Cheetahs 28 – 21 Scarlets
Toyota Cheetahs secured their second home win in a row, as Scarlets saw there lead at the top of conference B cut down. The first quarter saw the sides level with Dan Jones and Fred Zeilinga exchanging penalties. Cheetahs got the games first try through William Small-Smith, Zeilinga converted and kicked a penalty. Scarlets ended the half with a try from Jamie Davies. At halftime Cheetahs led 16 – 11. The second half saw three more tries. Craig Barry touched down twice for Cheetahs, while Ioan Nicholas got one for the Welsh side. Tom Prydie kicked a late penalty to secure a losing BP for Scarlets.
Southern Kings 21 – 48 Edinburgh
Sam Hidalgo-Clyne was the star of the show as he scored and converted a hattrick of tries. The visitors started the brighter with early tries from Fraser MMcKenzie and Viliame Mata. Schalk Ferreira was sent to the bin for the hosts, van der Walt and Coleman exchanged penalties before Grant Gilchrist got over the line. Southern Kings began to chip away at the lead with a try from Harlon Klaasen, and a conversion and two penalties from Coleman. At halftime Edinburgh led 16 – 22. Douglas fife got another for Edinburgh in the second half before Yaw Penxe was sin binned for Southern Kings. The last ten minutes saw Hidalgo-Clyne score a hattrick, Cornell du Preez touch down, and Dries van Schalkwyk get one back for the home side.
Glasgow Warriors 40 – 16 Cardiff Blues
Glasgow continued their 100% start with a six-try victory over Cardiff Blues. Cardiff started the brighter with a penalty from Jarrod Evans and a try from Macauley Cook. Glasgow got on the board in the 18th minute with a Sam Johnson penalty. Evans kicked another penalty before Cardiff went down to 14, Taufa’ao Filise was sent off. Alex Dunbar got a try for the hosts, who led 14 – 13 at halftime. After another Evans penalty it was all Glasgow with Cardiff temporarily going down to 13 players when Olly Robinson has sinbinned. Tries from Ruaridh Jackson, Sam Vunisa, Leo Sarto, and Nikola Matawalu gave Glasgow what was ultimately a comfortable victory.
Pos
|
Conference A
|
Pts
|
W
|
PD
|
1
|
Glasgow Warriors
|
48
|
10
|
+179
|
2
|
Munster
|
36
|
7
|
+141
|
3
|
Toyota Cheetahs
|
29
|
6
|
+14
|
4
|
Cardiff Blues
|
19
|
4
|
-48
|
5
|
Connacht
|
18
|
3
|
-24
|
6
|
Zebre
|
16
|
3
|
-59
|
7
|
Ospreys
|
11
|
2
|
-127
|
Pos
|
Conference B
|
Pts
|
W
|
PD
|
1
|
Scarlets
|
40
|
8
|
+123
|
2
|
Leinster
|
37
|
8
|
+142
|
3
|
Ulster
|
35
|
7
|
+61
|
4
|
Edinburgh
|
28
|
6
|
+42
|
5
|
Benetton
|
15
|
3
|
-63
|
6
|
Dragons
|
13
|
2
|
-153
|
7
|
Southern Kings
|
4
|
0
|
-228
|
Ciarán Duffy (@TheVoiceDepth) is a Leinster supporter and self-proclaimed ‘big cheese’ of Post To Post (@PostToPostSport). He’ll write about anything rugby under the condition he gets to take it too seriously.
*****
Want to see your own rugby opinions on the web?
Click "Write for us" in the sidebar to find out how.
