Our Ulster columnist Kristian Ross reflects and a weekend of very mixed emotions for the province.
Before Friday's match report, it's only fitting we pay tribute to Nevin Spence. Nevin, his brother and his father all passed away on Friday night at their residence at Hillsborough following a slurry tank accident. Nevin and his brother tried to assist their father but unfortunately were unable to do so. Nevin played 42 times for Ulster scoring five tries and was regarded as one of the most talented and upcoming stars of Irish Rugby, having also been capped for the Wolfhounds on three occasions. A wonderful person, he and his brother clearly showed an act of heroism that will always be remembered. The rugby community is close knit and so many players have posted on social networking just what a fantastic person Nevin was. His sister Emma who tried to assist her brothers and father was released from hospital earlier this week. Ulster Rugby lost a fantastic individual on Saturday. He will be sorely missed. Condolences go out to Emma, his mother and the rest of the Spence family, friends and everyone at Ulster Rugby. As always Stand Up For The Ulstermen, but more importantly, Stand Up For Nevin. Rest in Peace.
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For the second week running Ulster Rugby showed brilliant resilience to come back from behind in the first provincial derby of the season.
With both sides going into this one unbeaten, Fortress Ravenhill was buzzing as both teams knew a win would not just mean coming away with the points, but with the bragging rights as well. The night was also special for Stephen Ferris, who made his 100th appearance for Ulster, a fantastic achievement.
Ulster didn't have the best start, Andrew Trimble gathered a Munster kick in the 22, didn't notice Michael Allen, and was tackled well, the wing being penalised for holding on in the tackle. Ian Keatley had the chance to put Munster ahead with the boot inside just two minutes and had no problem in doing so. Ulster 0-3 Munster.
Ulster pressed, but another ruck, and another turnover as Munster showed good some defending. The team in red were really putting pressure on the Ulstermen early on.
As Ulster launched another phase of play, Lewis Stephenson was penalised, for holding on in the tackle, the second time in the game the infringement had been made and Ian Keatley struck a fantastic kick from 45m + to give Munster a six point advantage with only eight minutes gone.
A good Ulster scrum following the kick off saw the first attacking platform for the team in white to build on, but it was quashed when John Afoa knocked forward and Ulster cleared. Team doctor Michael Webb then had to see to Afoa who clashed heads with Dave Kilcoyne.
Munster had the lineout in the Ulster 22 and Ulster started to look in trouble, and when Ian Keatley received the ball from Duncan Williams, Keatley stuck a drop goal through the sticks, to put Ulster even further behind at 9-0.
Ulster needed something and quick, the kick off collected by Munster, Duncan Williams cleared but as Ulster gathered, a good attacking move the was spread from one wing to the other saw Ulster finally had some fluidity, before they finally got a well deserved penalty following VJ Botha being penalised. Up stepped Paddy Jackson, preferred to Niall O'Connor for this week and the young man showed it just was not a problem as Ulster were on the board.
Munster were immediately called from the kick off, the ball not going ten metres before James Downey took time to adjust his contact lense following a good Johann Muller tackle before finally play got back underway with the scrum. Nick Williams got away well as Ulster launched another attack. The ball went wide as Paddy Jackson and Luke Marshall were involved, before a overlap appeared and a superb Jared Payne dummy saw him through, before he passed it on to Andrew Trimble, who popped the ball up to Paul Marshall who spilled the it, a massive shame, as it was clearly going to be the first try of the game and more importantly to Ulster. Munster started to counterattack immediately but Ulster who again at the back looked worried were awarded a much needed penalty and Paddy Jackson cleared.
Twenty minutes gone and another good Ulster move with Trimble and Cave moving forward broke down following a turnover by Munster as possession moved the way of the men from Limerick.
Munster's continued to press going through numerous phases trying to chip away at the Ulster defence, Ulster gathered from a grubber, but again were turned over before Ian Keatley's kick put Ulster back in their own 22 but the following line out saw a great kick from Paul Marshall relieve pressure.
Munster again moved forward and without a doubt did look the better team, Luke O'Dea's good run saw him put into touch, following a good tackle by Darren Cave. A very quick lineout saw Jared Payne get away and move swiftly into the Munster half, it was an excellent move that led to a Ulster scrum following the breakdown. Luke O'Dea was replaced by Keith Earls following O'Dea having taken the big knock in the previous play. Ulster got a reward when VJ Botha was penalised and Paddy Jackson again had the chance to make the gap smaller. Jackson was so unlucky, his kick striking the post, and then a great clearance punt from Ian Keatley saw Ulster would have to start again, the lineout on the 10m line. On Ulster went, Munster were messy at the back and the ball bobbled out for a Ulster lineout just inside the Munster 22. The lineout was won, an Ulster finally saw their opportunity, before Nick Williams gave the ball back to Munster, but Ian Keatley sliced his clearance, the Ulstermen had another chance to punish but again Nick Williams gave the ball back to the team in red who again got it away from Duncan Williams. Ian Keatley's clearance kick bounced nicely for Michael Allen, but once again Ulster were turned over but they were lucky Billy Holland putting his kick straight into touch.
Five minutes to go until half time, and again Ulster would have another chance from a penalty, Dave O'Callaghan offside, Paddy Jackson would go for the posts. The last one was close and was more difficult, this was far more simplistic, and Jackson sent it over, Ulster were within just three points.
Munster kicked off knowing they would feel a bit more at ease if they could be the ones to grab a few more points before HT, Paul Marshall's kick gathered by Denis Hurley, the move went from one wing to another Keith Earls was instrumental, and as Hurley put it back inside for Earls, he scored a very well executed try that was made even better, as Ian Keatley maintained his 100 percent record to open up the gap again, this time by 10 points.
Ulster knew they had once last chance before the first half ended, and got it, Doug Howlett giving away a penalty, as Ravenhill fell silent, the concentration from Paddy Jackson key, and what a fantastic kick he produced as the first half drew to a close, Munster leading by 16 points to 9.
Ulster knew that major improvement would have to be made in the second half if they had any chance of winning the game, especially improvement at the breakdown.
The second half started with a good Ulster attack, good fluid passing was the key, eventually Paddy Jackson was held in the tackle and Munster won the scrum, but it was evident. Ulster needed to spend sustained time in the Munster half if they were to win this. An after some excellent work in the scrum by Ulster the penalty was awarded, and Paddy Jackson had the chance to bring the gap to just four points. Jackson always seems so cool at such a young age, and once again he didn't disappoint the strong contingent at Ravenhill, Ulster were in this again.
From the kick off though, Munster were at it again, some great attacking intent was finally brought to a end when Dave O'Callaghan was tackled into touch by Michael Allen. A frantic period saw Munster almost get another try when Paul Marshall's kick was charged down by O'Callaghan, but just a few minutes later Ulster were started to build, some well worked passes, they moved forward with supreme confidence, Paddy Jackson especially looking impressive, but unfortunately the move was over when Jared Payne's pass went into touch.
The half time team talk from Mark Anscombe clearly was working, Ulster hadn't been turned over, and were playing with vigour, and it got even better when the Munster line out was gathered by John Afoa, the perfect attacking chance for Ulster, and as Ulster went through the phases gaps starting to appear in the Munster defence, Ulster moving towards the line, the ball finally found the hands of Jared Payne, who scored his first competitive try for Ulster, and very well deserved too. For the first time in the match Ulster had the lead. A narrow advantage, that couldn't be extended, at the final second Paddy Jackson's conversion drifting just wide. But Ulster finally had the lead, as Munster started to bring on the big guns, Mike Sherry and Conor Murray into the fold. Darren Cave made way after a good kick saw him again get Ulster into the Munster 22 and get Ulster a line out after Michael Allen put the pressure on Conor Murray. It was Cave's last move of the half replaced by Craig Gilroy immediately after. A superb forward drive by the Ulstermen at the lineout saw Sean Dougall binned for handling in the ruck.
Ulster decided to go for the scrum, but Conor Murray cleared immediately following the scrum being turned against the head. Ulster had just over 20 minutes to close it out, again they moved forward, Paddy Jackson getting stuck in, and more good Ulster passing saw twinkletoes Craig Gilroy almost get in, but was just metres short. At last, the Heineken Cup finalists finally had the game by the scruff of the neck.
Paddy Jackson continued his exciting performance sending another good kick into touch giving Ulster more ground to build on as Munster knocked forward following the lineout. Following the stoppage Nigel Brady was replaced by Rob Herring, whilst in the Ulster camp, Dave Kilcoyne was subbed for Marcus Horan. Ulster again looked dangerous, moving the play out to the wing, but the move finally broke down due to a forward pass by Jared Payne.
Munster were finally able to relieve pressure following a penalty as the ball moved into the Ulster half for the first time in for what seemed an eternity. Possession switched hands and Ulster looked to have dealt with most of the pressure, but the old trait of the first half came back to haunt them as Munster turned it over, and as the ball found Donnacha O'Callaghan over on the far side some good tackling stemmed the move for the moment at least.
More pressure from Munster as Doug Howlett spread the ball out wide again with a long pass, as Munster held on to the ball, and finally Ian Keatley received the ball in the pocket, and put Munster back in front by two points as collective boos and groans rang out from the Ulster faithful.
So here it was, a deja vu for Ulster Rugby, again they had to come from behind to win it. On came Neil McComb for Lewis Stephenson, Ulster had 13 minutes to get back ahead, as VJ Botha was replaced by Sean Archer and Laulala for Ireland's test top points scorer of all time Ronan O'Gara for Munster, with Mike McComish coming on for Sean Doyle for the home side.
Following the replacements the scrum was illegally wheeled round by Munster, Ulster had the penalty, Paddy Jackson had a hard kick, but once again the talented young 20 year old showed just how good he was, over it went, Ulster back in front with just over 10 minutes to go.
Munster started to press, a game in which they thought they had a fantastic chance of winning had slipped away, but there was only a point in it. Their attacking move was brought to a end well following an massive tackle from Andrew Trimble as Ulster were able to clear.
Ulster then found themselves in a even better position when a failed 22 drop out attempt gave the men in white a scrum due to an Munster player being in front. Time ticked away as the scrum was reset, the ball but Ulster lost ground following some great tackling, and some great work by Tommy O'Donnell gave Munster possession, the penalty, and Ronan O'Gara was able to take the line out as the ball moved up to halfway. The attacking move from Munster broke down, as tempers started to flare.
Another Munster move, another chance, but it was ended after a horrible pass from Ronan O'Gara, Donncha O'Callaghan trying to keep it in, but his foot was in touch, Ulster just needed to hold onto the ball to see it out. A kick from Paul Marshall was caught by Denis Hurley, and as Andrew Trimble tackled him into touch much to the delight of the Ulster fans, it all started to kick off after Trimble pushed Hurley leading to a huddle of players pushing and shoving. At first thought it looked like the Ulster wing was going to be binned, but only a penalty was awarded. But it was the most important penalty of the game. And as Ronan O'Gara sent the ball downfield for the line out, it was going to be too familiar a situation in rugby. Phases, O'Gara, pocket, drop goal.
The ball moved towards O'Gara from the line out, at first he thought about the kick but then decided to pass it onto James Downey, still Munster had it, forty seconds left, then twenty, the clock moved into the red, O'Gara with the ball, still Munster couldn't get the kick, and finally as the clock hit 81 minutes, O'Gara thought about it again. It was like Northampton all over again. Finally after a herculean effort by Munster, and amazingly strong defence by Ulster, the home side turned it over. 82 minutes brought to a end by the whistle of Alain Rolland, the Ravenhill crowd erupted, the 15 on the pitch cheered, Ulster had taken a superb win against their provincial rivals. Three from three. Ulster were top of the league (until the Scarlets win over Connacht). I didn't watch it live, it was recorded, but I still couldn't help whoop with glee. Ulster had the win. Mark Anscombe has the formula. SUFTUM.
For Nevin.
I'm Kristian. 18. And my mind is filled with rugby shaped thoughts. Supporting Ulster Rugby, Newcastle Falcons and of course the mighty Ireland. Tommy Bowe is the MAN !!!! SUFTUM.
