A convincing win over the Scarlets gave the Ulstermen just one more hurdle, writes Kristian Ross
A fantastic Ulster Rugby side confirmed a place in the RaboPRO12 final with a comfortable display over Scarlets at Ravenhill on Friday night.
The Scarlets started well in Belfast, early pressure leading to a penalty in front of the posts that saw Owen Williams put the visiting side ahead. But the ever impressive Ruan Pienaar saw his first chance a goal arise after Alain Rolland penalise the Scarlets for not releasing, and the South African kicked Ulster level.
This was a game in which had massive importance and things got very feisty indeed when Liam Williams and Andrew Trimble had a coming together and were both subsequently sent to the bin for fighting. It might have been fourteen on each side but Ulster took the initiative and Ruan Pienaar found Ulster’s own Lions tour winger Tommy Bowe who sidestepped the last man and crash over for the first Ulster try. Pienaar duly converted and it was looking good for the PRO12 table toppers as the advantage was opened to seven points.
And things didn’t get better for the Scarlets, an Ulster line out, a huge drive, and another try scored by Robbie Diack, the man from Johannesburg scoring yet again in his great end to the season to give Ulster a 15-3 lead, as Pienaar couldn’t convert from a tough angle. However Pienaar made amends with a penalty in front of the sticks just before half time to give Ulster a fifteen point advantage at half time, and it was looking very bleak for the Welsh side indeed.
As the second half got underway once again Mark Anscombe knew that the game was begging to be finished off, and no one could accuse Ulster of a slow start, Darren Cave hammering his way towards the line only to be tackled at the last moment, but Tom Court was at hand to finish off the move and strike the killer blow on Scarlets PRO12 campaign via the television match official. Pienaar then added the extras and the scoreboard read an impressive 25-3.
With the Welsh side in desperate need of some good fortune things got even bleaker when two injuries in the space of ten minutes gave them even more worries, first a lengthy stoppage as Ken Owens was taken off by stretcher, and George Earle left the field of play. But the Scarlets did have something to smile about when substitute Gareth Davies found a hole in the Ulster defence, and a great weaving run yielded the first try for the region. Owen Williams converted to make the scoreline look more respectable.
Ulster now had their sights firmly set on Dublin with another Ruan Pienaar penalty, but as tired bodies and weary legs came into play, the Scarlets again pounced following a quick penalty, Sione Timani making the Ulster defence pause for thought as Owen Williams again made the conversion.
Luckily for Ulster no more scares were avoided, and as Alain Rolland blew the final whistle it was a comfortable win for the province and a place in the league final with a final score of 28-17.
Looking forward to the final game of the season it’s exactly where the Ulstermen wanted to be. The blip in towards the start of the year is now a distant memory. Anscombe’s side has produced steely determination and grit and set up a supposed home tie at the RDS with Leinster... Although I have a feeling the boys in blue will feel more at home that one.
A brilliant domestic campaign will be over shortly, and Ulster Rugby and it’s players now know that a single win on May 25th will give them their first trophy since 2006. Have Ulster been the best team in the league this year ? The answer is yes. Just one more hurdle to overcome.... And they’ll be league champions.
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.
