The Ulstermen made Dublin home before doing the same to Twickenham, writes Kristian Ross…
Ulster Rugby took a huge four points vs Leinster on Saturday night and won at the RDS for the first time in 14 years in what was easily the most extraordinary encounter of the PRO12 season yet.
In a game which was crucial to both provinces teams playoff hopes, Ulster knew that a massive performance was needed to topple the current European champions, who's form had been impeccable over the last dozen or so games. It was also a battle of the future Irish fly halves, Paddy Jackson taking on Ian Madigan in what was sure to be a tasty encounter.
It was Ulster who started much the better, immediately attacking the Leinster line with ferocity, however some solid brick wall defending saw Leinster escape with the scoreboard still intact at 0-0. Anscombe would have been pleased with the attacking intent that had somewhat lacked over the last few weeks.
But it was Leinster who took the lead after Johann Muller was adjudged to have taken out Kevin McLaughlin, and Ian Madigan hit an excellent long range penalty to give the Les Bleus the early advantage.
And Leinster double their lead through Madigan when Nick Williams left his feet, and once more another good kick from the Leinster ten showed that Ulster couldn't afford to give penalties
away in their own half.
However the early pressure had given the Ulstermen something to build on, and taking encouragement from this they launched an attack of their own, and Leinster's impressive defence was breached when a looping Paddy Jackson pass found Robbie Diack who crashed over the line to get Ulster right back into it. Ruan Pienaar was unable to convert a difficult penalty, but Ulster were within a point.
Again though Leinster kicked themselves into a slight advantage after George Clancy penalised the Ulster front row in the scrum and Madigan made it 9-5 to the Dublin based side.
Ulster knew they couldn't afford to fall too far behind, and again launched another fantastic attack on the Leinster line, Craig Gilroy denied a try due to a forward pass. On and on the Ulstermen went trying to breach what was a good Leinster defence, and they got their reward, not through a try, but a Ruan Pienaar penalty that got Ulster to back in within a point.
With seconds to go to half time, George Clancy penalised Nick Williams yet again, this time for supposedly not rolling away, a harsh call, and Madigan once again sent over a huge kick to give Leinster a 12-8 lead going into the interval.
As the second half began, Ulster knew a win was still possible, and that a victory at the RDS was going be to in getting back towards the summit of the PRO12.
Unfortunately Ulster didn't get off to the best possible start, penalised for slowing down the quick ball and Madigan had the chance to give Leinster the perfect start to the first half and that's exactly what he did, a kick plum through the middle to give his side a seven point advantage.
The next score was vital for Ulster who knew any more slip up's could see the game get away from them. Pressure paid off though, and when Mike Ross was called for handling in the ruck Ruan Pienaar booted a brilliant penalty to get Ulster right back in it. And another penalty from Pienaar after Leinster failed to release saw Ulster cut the gap back down to a single point as the momentum started to swing the way of Mark Anscombe's XV.
Finally the game was in the hands of Ulster, good pressure became too much for the home side and Iain Henderson scored in the corner after a good initial break from Andrew Trimble to give Ulster a 19-15 lead with twenty minutes to go as Ruan Pienaar missed a difficult conversion.
Leinster needed something and fast, and when Ulster were penalised right in front of the posts, Madigan had no problem in chipping over the kick to put Leinster within touching distance of their rivals. But just a minute later Ulster restored their four point advantage with another Ruan Pienaar penalty.
Cue the most interesting finish to a PRO12 match this season, four minutes to go, Leinster awarded a scrum and desperately trying to move forward over the line and grab the winning score. And it didn't end at 80 minutes. It went on and on, as Ulster and Leinster fans nerves went frayed to in tatters. Eighty two minutes had now elapsed and Jared Payne was sent to the bin for obstruction two minutes later after a frantic battle between attack and defence, a binning which was totally undeserved as action replays showed. Still Leinster trudged on, but finally after and incredible eighty six minutes, George Clancy blew the final whistle to win the match. However there was one final twist in the plot. In a bizarre decision, George Clancy decided to go to the video ref after blowing the final whistle, an decision which has angered many fans and in fairness was totally ridiculous, it need not have mattered, the ball held up by the Ulstermen, who had taken a vital win against Leinster in the most climatic finish to a game in years.
Looking forward to next week, it's fair to say Mark Anscombe will be extremely pleased that his side has banished the demons of the last few weeks and finally registered victory.
Next up is the biggest game of the season yet to date, the Heineken Cup quarter final at Twickenham vs Saracens, a game that has been eagerly anticipated since it's announcement. Finally Ulster are back, and things are looking up, Saturday will prove the biggest test for Anscombe and his men, but with the wind in their sails, it could well be a brilliant day in London.
On thing is for certain, every Ulster fan will be standing up, and every Ulster fan is going to Make Twickenham Home.
Roll on Sarries.
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.
