Ulster overturned a half-time deficit to edge Munster 20-19 in a nail-biting PRO12 clash at Ravenhill on Friday.
15 points from the boot of youngster Paddy Jackson helped Ulster to the narrowest of victories over their fierce Irish rivals.
The visitors raced into an early lead through two penalties and a drop-goal from fly-half Ian Keatley but his opposite number, Jackson, clawed Ulster back into contention as the half wore on with two penalties of his own.
Mistakes from both sides meant clear-cut try-scoring opportunities were at a premium but Munster finally made the breakthrough a couple of minutes before the interval as Keith Earls latched onto an inside pass from Denis Hurley to score.
Keatley slotted over the conversion with ease and, although Jackson did add another three points to the home side's tally with the last kick of the first half, Munster led 16-9 at the break.
Ulster emerged for the second half reinvigorated though and it only took them around 10 minutes to wipe out Munster's advantage and take the lead themselves.
Another Jackson penalty was followed by full-back Jared Payne's first competitive try for the club.
Good work from the Ulster forwards on the left-hand side allowed the backs to spin it wide right and Jackson provided the killer pass for Payne to score.
There was very little to choose between the sides for the remainder of the half as a second drop-goal from Keatley was cancelled out by Jackson's fifth penalty of the night to leave the hosts with a slender one-point lead going into the last 10 minutes.
Munster pushed hard for the win late on, even bringing on last-minute drop-goal specialist Ronan O'Gara, but Ulster held on to emerge victorious and take the bragging rights from this tight all-Irish affair.
The scorers:
For Ulster:
Try: Payne
Pens: Jackson 5
For Munster:
Try:Earls
Con: Keatley
Pens: Keatley 2
Drops: Keatley 2
Ulster: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Andrew Trimble, 13 Darren Cave, 12 Luke Marshall, 11 Michael Allen, 10 Paddy Jackson, 9 Paul Marshall, 8 Nick Williams, 7 Sean Doyle, 6 Stephen Ferris, 5 Lewis Stevenson, 4 Johann Muller (capt), 3 John Afoa, 2 Nigel Brady, 1 Tom Court.
Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Callum Black, 18 Declan Fitzpatrick, 19 Neil McComb, 20 Mike McComish, 21 Michael Heaney, 22 Peter Nelson, 23 Craig Gilroy.
Munster: 15 Denis Hurley, 14 Doug Howlett (capt), 13 Casey Laulala, 12 James Downey, 11 Luke O'Dea, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Duncan Williams, 8 James Coughlan, 7 Sean Dougall, 6 Dave O'Callaghan, 5 Billy Holland, 4 Donncha O'Callaghan, 3 BJ Botha, 2 Damien Varley, 1 Dave Kilcoyne.
Replacements: 16 Mike Sherry, 17 Marcus Horan, 18 Stephen Archer, 19 Dave Foley, 20 Tommy O'Donnell, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Ronan O'Gara, 23 Keith Earls.
Comments
Qkram79 says...
Terrible tragedy
Posted 11:47 16th September 2012
papachinzo says...
RIP Nevin Spence
Posted 00:16 16th September 2012
Qkram79 says...
@Melkdave:
Just watching Leicester Saracens on telly now. Loads to play for apparently but it is chronic. Last nights meaningless game was better in every respect. If fact Connacht Scarlets (also on now) is being played to a higher standard.
Posted 17:04 15th September 2012
melkdave says...
@Ulsterman 19999
Whos talking about relegation?? im cetinally not ,it wouldnt work anyway,I was ponting out to Ciaran1792, that english people ect dont THINK the Pro12 is crap par se,just irrevalent concerning the majority of matches.Myself i like the style ect of the Pro12,the rugby is usually pretty good you know.
@OAKRAM 79
Yes wining the league grand final is something to play for ,but thats at the end of the season ,up until then supporters have nothing to be excited about ,and as ive said alot of the matches are just meaningless ,as theres no consequences regarding qualification for anything or for wining or losing .We all know it will be Lienster Munster,and maybe the Ospreys battling for the title ,before the season even starts.For all its faults you cant say that about the AP atm,or who will qualify for the HEC or be relegated,teams are that closly matched ,with the possible exception of London Welsh ,and no one knows about them atm ,might be annother Exeter when finally into their stride.
Posted 14:06 15th September 2012
Qkram79 says...
@Melkdave. ... Eh ... Is winning the league not something to play for?
Posted 10:51 15th September 2012
ulsterman1999 says...
melkdav
What's the problem with not having relegation? So what if we do rest our key players for European games?
Players are properly rested and given the recovery they rightly deserve. The modern game is so physical I can't see how you cant not give players proper rest periods.
It also gives us an opportunity to introduce young and new players at a pace which is appropriate to they development. No fear of relegation means players are given a chance to develop rather than bringing a short term safe pair of hands.
I also have to say I don't find games meaningless. I like every other supporter want my team to finish top. For you to say so is is sheer arrogance and you perhaps you need to attend a game and see exactly what it means to the supporters.
Does the premiership side who finishes last always get relegated.... (cough cough)
There were no complains about the format of the competition when English and French clubs were dominating Europe. All of a sudden when they're not they want a change.
The fact of the matter is that perhaps our set up is better than yours. Are we catching up? An example - the Ulster Academy. It is headed by a coach which got to a European final. Do you but such riches in at grass routes? I wonder...
Not having any relegation isn't that bad. Don't knock it until you try it.
Posted 10:48 15th September 2012
melkdave says...
@Ciaran1792
Im afraid your wrong ,the english dont say the Pro12 is crap,the rugby is good usually.We say the games are irrevalent and meaningless,theres no consequences for the clubs win or lose,and except for good rugby, if your lucky nothing for supporters to get excited about ,no nail biting qualification battles ect nothing,for supporters to want to go to the stadium and cheer their team on for ,on a wet and cold night /day.As for the match your right a very enjoyable game good tempo and good rugby,pity it means nothing in the overall scheme of things though.
Posted 00:52 15th September 2012
munster30 says...
what the hell was O Gara at? How many chances do you need to take a drop goal, that kind of stuff should be second nature to him at this stage!!! Those final phases were so frustrating to watch.
Overall a great game, but I hope some of the senior players ask WTF was going on? Platform was set at least 3 times in a good position and the drop goal wasnt taken?
Posted 23:22 14th September 2012
ciaran1792 says...
great game. good tempo. and the English say pro 12 is crap haha.
Posted 22:25 14th September 2012