Ulster v Dragons Match Report

It was a tough challenge for Newport Gwent Dragons at Ravenhill against high flying Ulster Rugby.

British and Irish Lion Tommy Bowe scored two tries for the home side on his return to rugby after injury has kept him out of the game for three months. It was international Ruan Pienaar who began Ulster’s points scoring with a successful penalty kick in the opening three minutes of the game.

Pienaar followed this with a try of his own and Paddy Jackson converted for the home side extending their lead. It was then Tommy Bowe’s turn to cross the white wash for Ulster with Jackson converted the try; in quick succession Bowe crossed the line once again and it was converted.

Dragons prop Owen Evans was yellow carded soon after this followed by the referee handing Ulster a penalty try. Paddy Jackson made it four from four with his kicking in the first half.

The men of Gwent then had a chance at replying, but young fly-half Steffan Jones hit the posts with a penalty kick at 37mins. But just as the whistle was about go to end the first half the visitors were rewarded with a penalty and fullback Rhys Jones kicked the successful penalty goal.

Half Time: Ulster 31 Dragons 3

The second half began as the first half did, with Ulster gaining more points over the visitors, as Sean Doyle scored a try and Paddy Jackson converting it.

It wasn’t until the 64^th minute when the Dragons answered Ulster with a try from winger Ross Wardle but that wasn’t enough as the full time whistle blew on Ulster 38 Dragons 8.

Teams

Ulster Rugby

Jared Payne, Tommy Bowe, Darren Cave, Luke Marshall, Rory Scholes, Paddy Jackson, Ruan Pienaar; Callum Black, Rob Herring, Ricky Lutton, Johan Muller (c), Iain Henderson, Robbie Diack, Sean Doyle, Roger Wilson.

 

Replacements: Niall Annett, Tom Court, Adam Macklin, Lewis Stevenson, Mike McComish, Paul Marshall, Stuart McCloskey, David McIlwaine.

 

Newport Gwent Dragons

Rhys Jones, Matthew Pewtner, Pat Leach, Ashley Smith (c), Ross Wardle, Steffan Jones, Richie Rees; Owen Evans, T. Rhys Thomas, Bruce Douglas, Matthew Screech, Cory Hill, Jevon Groves, Nic Cudd, Lewis Evans.

 

Replacements:  Nathan Williams, Hugh Gustafson, Duncan Bell, Rob Sidoli, Ieuan Jones, Wayne Evans, Lewis Robling, Jack Dixon.

Man of the Match:

Attendance: 12,960