Another win for the Ulstermen keeps them top, Kristian Ross has the details…
There was no stopping Ulster Rugby again on Friday night as the PRO12 leaders hammered Edinburgh 45-20 to retain the PRO12 top spot and make it nine wins from nine in all competitions.
A much changed Ulster side due to international duties did not start well, a uncharacteristic mistake from a scrum saw Tom Brown score the opening try with Gregor Hunter converting from a difficult angle.
Ulster hadn't found rhythm, understandable due to the many changes, and Niall O'Connor on as a blood sub for Ruan Pienaar saw him reduce the deficit from a penalty.
However Edinburgh nailed a penalty themselves to restore the seven point advantage before Ulster did what they do best, dominate in the scrum and force a penalty try that Ruan Pienaar had no trouble in popping over.
But it was the next score that was easily the try of the season, a unbelievable run by the talented Craig Gilroy offloading to Jared Payne who touchdown under the posts to continue his fantastic from to the season, as Pienaar converted yet again.
Then Pienaar himself was the hero, charging down a Gregor Hunter kick, yet another clear run for an Ulster player this season, and Ruan was uncatchable, extending the lead even further with the third try for the Ulstermen, and easily adding the extras to make it a fourteen point gap.
With the clock ticking towards the interval, Ulster looked in supreme control, but Tom Brown eluded some weak Ulster tackling and was able to give Edinburgh a platform to build, Hunter converting, at half time Ulster leading 24-17.
The Scottish side started the side with the first points of the half, Gilroy not releasing in the tackle saw Hunter boot a very good kick over via the posts from a difficult spot to get Edinburgh back within four points.
But with a fourth try in sight that would give them the bonus point, Ulster showed no mercy and broke some tough Edinburgh resistance following a tight spell of play to score through Roger Wilson in the corner on his first start for Ulster in four years and the Springbok form of Ruan Pienaar curled yet another kick over the posts as Ulster opened up a comfortable advantage.
And with just under fifteen minutes left to a huge chorus of Stand Up For The Ulstermen, Jared Payne ran an impeccable angle to receive the ball from Niall O'Connor and score yet again to rub salt into the wound, and it was made even sweeter for the team in white as Pienaar again maintained his hundred percent record with the two more points.
Once again though Ulster decided they weren't finished and scored the final try, the sixth of the evening through Craig Gilroy, going over the line to finish off a great night again, and the cherry was put on the top of the cake when Ruan Pienaar made it a perfect record for the evening, his kick looking like it was going wide, before it moved back inside the sticks to make it nine competitive games won in a row.
Looking forward to next week, a lot can be said about the performance against Edinburgh. First of all, the negatives. Ulster took a while to get going again, but it was understandable considering the amount of changes in the starting XV. The positive is that Ulster showed that they have depth, and despite several key figures missing, they still ran in numerous scores and made it 40+ points again.
The real test will begin now, both Stephen Ferris and Lewis Stephenson injured, and many players called up to the Ireland squad, Ulster must prove their worth, especially considering the next three games are four games away. The first two in Italy to Zebre, the easier of the two, and then the difficult trip to Treviso, before another tough test against second placed Scarlets, then a Heineken Cup clash against Northampton Saints at Franklins Gardens.
The bottom line...
Ulster need to lose a game at some point surely... One thing is for certain.... We didn't lose this week. SUFTUM.
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.
