Ulster grind out win over Dragons despite three yellow cards

Ulster remain in pole position for a PRO14 play-off spot after securing a 28-15 bonus-point victory over Dragons at Rodney Parade on Sunday.

Dan McFarland’s men led Ceri Jones’ outfit 7-3 at half-time and saw out the win over Conference B’s bottom side, despite three yellow cards.

Ulster dominated the early possession and territory but the Dragons stayed firm, determined to bounce back from four straight defeats. The hosts were rewarded in the 17th minute, when a Josh Lewis penalty put them in front.

The general flow of the match did not change, with Ulster working the ball through the phases and the Dragons holding on for dear life. At last, the visitors’ pressure paid off as Jordi Murphy crashed over for the first try in the 25th minute.

Lewis was handed a chance to narrow the gap to one point from in front of the sticks just three minutes later, but his kick somehow went wide.

Ulster smelled blood and hit the Dragons with a swift break, initiated by Eric O’Sullivan. It took a last-ditch tackle from Jordan Williams to prevent Robert Baloucoune from going over in the corner, earning the hosts a scrum.

Dragons were then handed a boost on the verge of half-time when Darren Cave was yellow-carded for a cynical early tackle on Josh Lewis. However, the visitors remained in control of the game and Marty Moore powered over for Ulster’s second try in the fifth minute after the break.

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With Ulster back up to 15 men, they punished a poor kick from Rhodri Williams, which was caught by Baloucoune. He brushed off two tackles before passing to Louis Ludik, who set John Cooney up for the try.

Ulster looked in cruise control but their indiscipline put them under pressure in the closing stages. Rob Lyttle and Louis Ludik were each yellow-carded shortly before 70 minutes for deliberate knock-ons, with the latter conceding a penalty try.

In the 74th minute, Alan O’Connor put Ulster’s worries to rest, crashing over for the bonus point try after a patient build-up. A late try from Taine Basham proved nothing more than consolation.