| Ulster (28) 49 |
| Tries: Addison, Lowry 2, Sheridan, McCann 2, Timoney Cons: Cooney 7 |
| Dragons (7) 26 |
| Tries: Benjamin, Screech, Coghlan, pen striveCons: Reed 2 |
Ulster returned to successful methods with a thumping 49-26 win over Dragons of their first recreation because the departure of former head coach Dan McFarland.
With Dan Soper in short-term cost of the squad, the hosts ran in seven tries with wing Michael Lowry and again row David McCann each scoring twice.
Will Addison, Harry Sheridan and Nick Timoney additionally crossed for Ulster.
Dragons left with a bonus level because of James Benjamin, Matthew Screech and Brodie Coghlan tries and a penalty strive.
John Cooney transformed all seven of the Irish province’s touchdowns as his aspect received within the URC for the primary time since New 12 months’s Day after they beat Leinster 22-21. Will Reed added the extras to 2 of the guests’ tries.
With Dan Soper on the helm for one recreation earlier than Eire Below-20s coach Richie Murphy takes cost for the rest of the marketing campaign, Ulster’s victory lifted them as much as fifth within the URC desk, degree on factors as Munster and Edinburgh.
Ulster started the sport filled with attacking intent and had been rewarded with a fifth minute strive from full-back Addison.
The workload was carried by the forwards however when the ball was ultimately launched to the backs, the little grubber kick from Billy Burns was good for Addison to the touch down.
The Dragons had been solely behind for six minutes. From a lineout ten metres out they breached Ulster’s maul defence with hooker Benjamin the beneficiary of the wonderful work completed by the pack. Reed made it a seven-pointer.
Ulster’s second strive got here from some poor Dragons tackling that allowed McCann to interrupt their defensive position. With gamers left and proper, McCann went proper to Lowry who galloped over the road.
A sequence of infringements by the Dragons helped Ulster dominate possession deep in opposition territory. Ultimately their stress informed when Sheridan scored the third strive from shut vary.
The bonus level rating got here quickly after when some easy passing pulled the Dragons out of place and Lowry made no mistake as he scored his second strive of the sport.
Thirty-three minutes performed and Ulster had been 28-7 up with the bonus level secured.
The second half started in an identical sample however Ulster squandered a strive scoring alternative when Tom Stewart knocked the ball on when within the strategy of making an attempt to floor it over the road.
A gradual stream of replacements adopted and the sport turned disjointed consequently.
It suited the Dragons and from a uncommon foray into the Ulster ’22’ Screech scored their second unconverted strive.
Ulster quickly regrouped and on an ideal evening for rugby, they put the ball by way of the phases, permitting McCann to cross the whitewash for the fifth strive.
To their credit score the Welsh aspect stored going. They had been having success with their maul and it led to a 3rd strive with substitute prop Coghlan the scorer.
Ulster would end the sport strongly. Jacob Stockdale, on as substitute, turned the Dragons over on the midway line and the Irish winger could be concerned within the transfer yet another time as he gave the scoring move to Timoney.
Ulster had been working rampant within the closing phases. McCann scored his second strive of the evening and his aspect’s seventh because the Dragons defence was reduce aside.
Cooney’s immaculate night with the boot concluded with seven profitable conversions from seven.
There was nonetheless time for the Dragons maul to trigger Ulster an issue yet another time.
Timoney was penalised for collapsing it on the Ulster line and a penalty strive was awarded to make sure the Welsh aspect left Belfast with a comfort dropping bonus level.
Ulster: Addison, McIlroy, Hume, Postlethwaite, Lowry; Burns, Cooney; Kitshoff, Stewart, O’Toole; Izuchukwu, Sheridan; McCann, M. Rea, Timoney.
Replacements: Andrew, Warwick, Wilson, Treadwell, Reffell, Doak, Marshall, Stockdale.
Dragons: E. Rosser, Westwood, Hughes, Owen, Baldwin; Reed, Blacker; MartÃnez, Benjamin, Coleman; Lonsdale, Screech; Lydiate, H. Taylor, Basham.
Replacements: Coghlan, Seiuli, Yendle, Langton-Cryer, Nott, Bertranou, Ackerman, Anderson.
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)