Connacht started brightly but couldn’t keep up with title-chasing Ulster, writes John O’Sullivan
Eric Elwood’s final interprovincial game in charge of Connacht ended in the agony of defeat at the hands of the Stuart Olding inspired Ulster, with a scoreline of 34-18 to the visitors.
Connacht has grown massively under the tutelage of the former Ireland international fly half. From the whipping boys, butt of the joke of Irish rugby, Elwood has instrumental in turning Connacht into what we see before us today: a well respected club with an ever increasing fan base and with the potential to improve even further.
Quite obviously, the fans and players alike are only too aware of Elwood’s achievements and the raucous atmosphere they generate and the ferocious tempo at which the home side started the game were indicative of their intentions to send Eric Elwood into retirement with a Interprovincial victory under his belt.
With the screams of encouragement from the fans reverberating around their ears, Connacht started the game like the proverbial house on fire, and, within five minutes, had a try on the board. The effervescent Kieran Marmion caught World Cup winning South African Ruan Pienaar dallying on the ball just outside the Ulster twenty two and pounced, along with several of his team mates, on the scrum half turning over possession and leaving the Ulster defence at sixes and sevens. Two quick fire passes gave George Naoupu an unscathed run in for a try owing to Connacht’s determined and dogged approach. Unusually, the perpetually accurate Dan Parks’ was wide with his conversion attempt.
In what proved to be a tit for tat scoring encounter, Ulster soon scored a try of their own; the aforementioned Olding crossed after a superb flowing move by Ulster. Pienaar made amends for his earlier penalty miss by slotting the resulting conversion.
The former Sharks half back was instrumental in the visitors’ next try. The South African’s exquisitely disguised reverse pass split the home sides defence and perfectly found the on rushing Andrew Trimble, who scurried in for Ulster’s second try of the evening. Pienaar, though, couldn’t continue his majestic few minutes and dragged the conversion wide. Once again, it wasn’t long before the whitewash was crossed, this time Connacht, through Fetu’u Vainikolo, had the honours.
Gavin Duffy’s inviting pass found the Tongan winger who evaded several attempted Ulster tackles to touch down for Connacht’s second try. Parks, this time, made no mistake with conversion, levelling the scores at twelve a piece. Dan Parks and Ruan Pienaar then embarked on a personal kicking dual, both kicking successful penalties, once again tying the game up at fifteen all.
One of the players on the field with genuine British and Irish Lions aspirations, Rory Best strengthened his claims with the games next try, off the back of a rolling maul. Should Best replicate Friday night’s form in the remaining games of the season, then, surely, he will be given his boarding pass for the summer tour to Australia. Pienaar added the extra’s to give Ulster a half time lead of 22-15.
Connacht, minus Dan Parks who was replaced by Miah Nikora, started the second half with a similar vigour to which they started the first and soon eroded Ulster’s lead with a penalty from the replacement fly half. Four points was, however, the closest Connacht would come to Ulster in the second half, as Mark Anscombe’s charges went up a gear and showed exactly why they are in the shake up for this season’s title. Soon to be Irish eligible Jared Payne thought he had secured the crucial bonus point securing try, but, after consulting the TMO, it was shown that Connacht winger Danie Poolman had wonderfully denied the Kiwi a try.
The bonus point try, though, was soon to come Ulster’s way. Showing their strength in depth, Ulster introduced Irish international tyro Iain Henderson. The gargantuan lock/back row ran directly at the heart of the Connacht defence, swatting away several lackadaisical tackles before supplying the pass that saw Tommy Bowe cross for the game and bonus point securing try. Perhaps a tad late to force his way into Warren Gatland’s Lions’ plans, the Monaghan man can be, nevertheless, proud of his performance, including his try which was his fiftieth in the league.
Connacht, no doubt as a consequence of their fired up start to the game, were out on their feet and Ulster again took full advantage as Jared Payne-not to be denied twice- went half of the length of the pitch to touch down and seal Ulster’s victory on a scoreline of 34-18.
Defeat is never easy, but Eric Elwood can be proud of his player’s efforts, especially in the first hour or so of the game. The winning of the game was Ulster’s star studded bench, which Mark Anscombe, to his credit, utilised excellently, making the right changes at the right times. As much incentive as Connacht had to win, Ulster had more. The Carrot of a guaranteed home semi final was dangled in front of Ulster before the game and their comprehensive victory guarantee’s that.
All associated with Connacht rugby would like to wish Ulster the best of luck in their remaining fixtures. Connacht will settle and concentrate their efforts on the protracted away to fixture to Treviso. Initially scheduled for last month, the game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, obviously with a different set of match officials than at the away game at Biarritz earlier in the season.
I’m John O’Sullivan, 20. Part time student, full time sports nut. Love rugby and am currently the PRO of Connemara RFC as well as admin for the Rugby Banter Facebook page. I also do some radio work for my local station. One day, I would love to be a Sports Journalist/Broadcaster.
