The 100% start for Ulster continues; Kristian Ross describes the action from Ravenhill last Friday…
Last years finalists Ulster Rugby opened their Heineken Cup campaign with a fine win over Castres Olympique on Friday night.
Castres went ahead early through a Romain Teulet penalty but it was cancelled out quickly by Paddy Jackson who hit a 22m kick to make it 3-3.
Ulster moved into the lead when a sliced Castres clearance was collected and a superb run by Jared Payne saw Andrew Trimble collect the ball from the full back and score Ulster's first try of the tournament this year, Jackson converting from a difficult angle to give Ulster a decent 10-3 lead.
Pierre Bernard missed for Castres from close range with a penalty and the initiative was taken, as Jackson put Ulster further ahead with another penalty from a tough position, to send Ulster ten points clear.
Moments later Tommy Bowe had a good chance to take a real stranglehold on the match, his diagonal run that had a chance of a try was cut short as he was tackled into touch.
But seconds later, Paul Marshall gathered from Castres possession, and chipped through a non existent defence to scored right under the posts to hammer the advantage home further, Jackson putting through another kick, this time simplistic to send Ulster into a 20-3 lead with just over 20 minutes gone.
The Belfast side did well to sustain some pressure from Castres pressing on the half hour mark, and some great defending, saw Ulster defend for 10 phases before Castres were awarded a scrum, and seven phases later after some heroic Ulster defending, the French sides awesome effort paid off as Marc Andreu scored in the corner after a superb cross field kick, and Romain Teulet nailed a difficult conversion to reduce the gap to just ten points.
It was a reality check for Ulster after totally dominating for a long period of time.
But just a few minutes after the restart, Ulster were awarded yet another penalty right in front of the posts, and Jackson made it 5 from 5 to make it twenty three points for Ulster to Castres's ten, four minutes before half time and that's the way it stayed as the first period was brought to a close.
The second half started with a bang, Iain Henderson with a darting run almost saw him get a try, but he failed to elude the last man, before Rory Best fancied himself as a winger pushing forward and coming close himself.
A few seconds later and Ulster got what they wanted, a third try after some good attacking pressure with a well worked move from Paul Marshall, coming inside the defender on the line and touching down, but Paddy Jackson couldn't extend the advantage as his attempt sailed very wide. But the scoreline now looked considerably better, a 18 point gap between the two sides.
And it was extended further again, when Paddy Jackson got another penalty to take his tally to six kicks for the night with a 46m penalty. The young fly half once again showing no sign of nervousness.
But again Castres proved that they wouldn't let up, and again tried an assault on the Ulster line, Marcel Garvey scored the second try for the French team, and Teulet scored from in front of the posts, to reduce the deficit. The score now 31-17 in favour of the team in white.
Castres started to look far better, as Ulster lacked fluidity and ball handling went awry, and then things got worse as Tom Court was binned for bringing a maul.
However, as soon as the binning occurred, it seemed to spur Ulster on, and a good move came to a end with another penalty being awarded for in favour of the Irish province, in which Paddy Jackson made it another three points with the boot, with an impressive seventh kick of the night as Ruan Pienaar came on for Paul Marshall.
Ulster were still looking for the elusive fourth try, which would give them the bonus point and searched for it with some frantic attacking. But were unable to find it despite another good Payne run that was brought to a end as he threw the ball wide of Rory Best.
But seconds later Ulster were awarded another pen, and Yannick Forestier was sent to the bin, with five minutes left, this was the time in which Ulster needed to find the fourth score.
And after a good pen to touch from Jackson, Ulster pushed and pushed, but again Castres held on and were given a penalty and chance to clear.
Pedrie Wannenburg (pic) received a warm reception when he was replaced on his first return to Ravenhill since moving clubs, as the clock started to wind down and still the Ulstermen hadn't grabbed the bonus point.
As the clock hit 82 minutes, Castres moved into the Ulster half having had possession for the entire time the clock had been in the red, but when they finally surrendered the ball to Jared Payne, he went and once again spearheaded a superb counter attack that saw Ruan Pienaar run the entire length of the half to score a incredible try that saw the 11,000+ packed into Ravenhill explode as finally the fourth try was scored. Jackson added the extras with minimal ease to cap off a great but mixed Ulster win.
Previewing next week, Anscombe will probably have given his team another rollicking for not finishing Castres off earlier, but in the end, the result that was needed was got. The positives to focus on were that Ulster at times played some fantastic, brilliant to watch, fluid rugby, so easy on the eye, a total joy to view. Paddy Jackson once again showed determination and sheer skill, plus his kicking was fantastic both from the tee and his hands. Iain Henderson also impressed, having caught the eye of a few over the last couple of weeks. However, Ulster must learn that it's a marathon, not a sprint, in both matches, and the league and cup. But it's six wins. From six. Only a couple of things left to point out, roll on Glasgow Warriors, and it's the start, the start of Ulster's push for that Dublin final.
As always...
Stand Up For The Ulstermen.
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.
