The 1st place finish and awards have been great but Ulster want the big prize, writes Kristian Ross…
Ulster Rugby confirmed a home semi final spot in the RaboPRO12 playoffs after destroying Cardiff Blues for the second time this season in the final regular season game this year. The Ulstermen knew that just four points would be enough to see them top, and Mark Anscombe went in with the strongest line up available to him.
The early exchanges saw it was the Welsh side take the lead, a gaping hole in the Ulster defence lead to Dafydd Hewitt stroll in for the opening try that was successfully converted by young out half Rhys Patchell. It certainly looked like the Welsh region would not roll over and that a potential task for the Ulstermen looked on the cards.
Ruan Pienaar missed his opening kick and it liked it may not be Ulster’s day, but moments later Harry Robinson dropped an easy pass and Pienaar went in under the posts to get Ulster right back into it and converted it himself to make it seven apiece.
Both teams’ fly halves had penalties to make it 10-10, before Cardiff’s Patchell produced a superb drop goal cutting back inside and firing it over to give Cardiff a three point advantage at the break.
With just forty minutes of the regular season remaining, Ulster were in need of a good second half to try and stem the tide, and started perfectly, Andrew Trimble continuing his best season ever on record in an Ulster shirt with a ninth PRO12 try of the season. Pienaar had no problem converting, and then sent over two successful penalties as Cardiff started to unravel fast.
And then a huge mix up in the Blues defence following a high ball saw Trimble again cross the line for Ulster albeit after it had went to the TMO, the replaying showing he had grounding the ball under huge pressure to extend the advantage beyond Cardiff’s reach.
Ulster still wanted the all impressive bonus point and finally got it before the end, Robbie Diack scoring his fifth try in ten games in what was his 100th appearance for the province to seal the win for the Ulstermen and converted once again by Ruan Pienaar to give Ulster a 37-13 win.
With that the regular season ends, and Ulster now know they will face Scarlets in the PRO12 semi finals this Friday. The Scarlets didn’t pose much of a threat this season on their home patch in Llanelli or in Belfast, but form means little in the playoffs, though I’m sure that Mr Anscombe will fancy his chances.
It’s been a superb twenty two rounds, and Ulster have to make sure they win this week or the season will come to a stuttering halt, a huge shame it would be too after finally regaining form over the last few matches.
With the PRO12 final just over two weeks away the fevered anticipation is growing stronger, and everyone knows a good Ulster performance will see them into the final. And will it be deserved after the season they have produced... Most definitely.
Roll on the playoffs.
And in some of the field news a huge congratulations to Ulster Rugby at the RaboPRO12 awards. A superb night that saw the team pick up the Specsavers Fairplay Award, with Andrew Trimble winning try of the season against Connacht last month, Luke Marshall scooping the Young Player of the Year Award, and Nick Williams taking Players Player of the Year after an incredible first season at the province. Some great awards.... Now let’s add a PRO12 trophy in there too!
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.
