Ulster 19 - 10 Saracens
I've been looking forward to the Heineken Cup all week and it's started with a thrilling game at Ravenhill as Ulster put themselves a step closer to getting out of their pool. Over the past few seasons Ulster have appeared laboured among Europe's finest. Their achievement of being the only Irish province to win Europe's elite club competition has looked more like a millstone around their neck than a confidence booster.
Slowly the tide seems to be turning back in their favour. They have a wealth of talent coming of age all through the field, many of whom have already made their full test debuts for Ireland.
Tonight in particular Simon, Neil and Rory Best, Andrew Trimble and Tommy Bowe really shone. They were ably marshalled by the rock solid boot of Humphreys who landed a stunning conversion in the dying minutes to put Ulster two scores ahead.
The conditions were terrible and this was reflected in a first half which was littered with errors from both sides. Ulster settled to their task in the second half however and only in the final 10 minutes did they assert their superiority. Saracens thought they were playing basketball during a three minute period which saw Castaignede and Matt Cairns both sin binned for deliberate knock-ons. The Ulster players were incensed as both occassion were penalty try candidates. The men in red and white gritted their teeth and closed out the game in the final ten minutes against 13 men with a try for Rory Best and that fabulous conversion from Humphreys floating just inside the near post.
I've got to mention the crowd also, who delivered a sizziling second half atmosphere. There was a real sense of momentum around Ravenhill following Ulster's victory over Munster in the Celtic League last weekend. I expect to see Ulster go from strength to strength this season and beyond.
I hope the rest of the weekend lives up to tonight's spectacle. A certain Mr. Lomu is turning out for Cardiff Blues tomorrow. The other two Irish provinces in the competition have it all to play for in their respective pool games tomorrow also, while Connacht take on Worcester in the European challange cup.
Engage!
Published by Paul.
Slowly the tide seems to be turning back in their favour. They have a wealth of talent coming of age all through the field, many of whom have already made their full test debuts for Ireland.
Tonight in particular Simon, Neil and Rory Best, Andrew Trimble and Tommy Bowe really shone. They were ably marshalled by the rock solid boot of Humphreys who landed a stunning conversion in the dying minutes to put Ulster two scores ahead.
The conditions were terrible and this was reflected in a first half which was littered with errors from both sides. Ulster settled to their task in the second half however and only in the final 10 minutes did they assert their superiority. Saracens thought they were playing basketball during a three minute period which saw Castaignede and Matt Cairns both sin binned for deliberate knock-ons. The Ulster players were incensed as both occassion were penalty try candidates. The men in red and white gritted their teeth and closed out the game in the final ten minutes against 13 men with a try for Rory Best and that fabulous conversion from Humphreys floating just inside the near post.
I've got to mention the crowd also, who delivered a sizziling second half atmosphere. There was a real sense of momentum around Ravenhill following Ulster's victory over Munster in the Celtic League last weekend. I expect to see Ulster go from strength to strength this season and beyond.
I hope the rest of the weekend lives up to tonight's spectacle. A certain Mr. Lomu is turning out for Cardiff Blues tomorrow. The other two Irish provinces in the competition have it all to play for in their respective pool games tomorrow also, while Connacht take on Worcester in the European challange cup.
Engage!
Published by Paul.
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