Ulster beat Munster, Blues edge 14-man Dragons

Ulster overcame an early sin-binning to continue their fine recent form after impressively defeating Irish rivals Munster in the PRO14 at the Kingspan Stadium.

Plenty of positivity is emanating from Belfast at the moment and they looked to start on the front foot, but Robert Baloucoune was far too enthusiastic and took Darren Sweetnam out in the air, leading to a yellow card.

Under the current laws, the youngster perhaps should have seen red but, having enjoyed that slice of luck, they handled the sin-bin period excellently and conceded just three points to JJ Hanrahan’s penalty.

It was a tight affair and the breakdown was extremely competitive, but Will Addison was the player to once again break the game open, showing his pace and balance to send the visitors into reverse. Buoyed by that piece of individual brilliance, the Northern Irish province increased the pressure and Rob Herring touched down to give them a half-time advantage.

Defences were generally on top, with a single Hanrahan penalty the only score in the third quarter, but the hosts were clinical in attack and constructed a wonderful try, which resulted in that man Baloucoune going over.

Rory Best was instrumental in that effort and the hooker was similarly prominent late on, helping Ulster to seal the win by off-loading for Dave Shanahan to score, meaning Bill Johnston’s brace of penalties could only garner Munster a losing bonus-point.

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In the other game on Friday, a 14-man Dragons side were cruelly denied a draw following Gareth Anscombe’s last-minute penalty which earned Cardiff Blues a 19-16 triumph.

The Newport-based outfit have endured a torrid season but, under the guidance of interim boss Ceri Jones, they played with intent. However, they overstepped the mark and were perhaps fortunate to escape a red card early on after a poor challenge from Zane Kirchner.

Kirchner was sin-binned but one of their players did eventually receive their marching orders when Lloyd Fairbrother was sent-off for connecting with Dillon Lewis’ head.

Jones’ men coped well without the tighthead prop and went into the interval 6-3 in front via a drop-goal and penalty from Josh Lewis, but they could not hold on and, after Anscombe had added to his first-half three-pointer, Dan Fish went over.

That appeared to be decisive, particular after Cardiff remained seven points in front going into the latter stages, but the Dragons dramatically levelled the game late on through Jarryd Sage. However, the Wales back had the final word to win the game for the Blues.