Ulster Rugby v Glasgow Warriors

ULSTERA ULSTERAMAKESTRONG STARTTOCELTICCUPCAMPAIGN

Centre Hayden Hyde cut open the Cardi‰ defence on 55 minutes and combined with Doak to send fullback Conor Rankin clear for a third score. Houston again added the extras to extend the home advantage to 25-5. The bonus point was sealed on 70 minutes when Hyde crossed the whitewash after good work by captain McCann and Houston, who converted. Cardi‰ got a late consolation try to put a small blot on the copy book. Last night, Ulster A hosted Connacht Eagles at Ballymena RFC, the result of which was not known at the time of going to print. The squad now has four remaining games coming up over consecutive weekends. In a change to the 2019 structure, this year’s Celtic Cup is a straight league format with the top two ranked sides advancing to the final.

The Ulster A squad, under the tutelage of coaches Kieran Campbell and Willie Anderson, made a dream start to this season’s Celtic Cup, picking up a maximum of 10 points from the opening two rounds. They began the competition with a dramatic last-gasp victory over Scarlets a fortnight ago at a sun-kissed Llandovery RFC, Peter Cooper touching down in the 83rd minute to clinch all five points. Abbey Insurance Academy flyhalf Bruce Houston opened the scoring with a well-struck penalty before adding a further two. Azur Allison scored Ulster’s only try of the first half, converted by Houston, to keep the side within touching distance of the powerful Welsh outfit, who led 21-16 at the break. Ulster emerged strongly after the interval as prop Callum Reid scored a converted try, before flanker David McCann’s score pushed his side one point ahead (29-30). The game swung back in the hosts’ favour with a late penalty, but the young Ulster men fought right to the end, going through 25 phases before Cooper touched down for the winning score. Kieran Campbell’s side backed that up with an emphatic 32-5 win against Cardi‰ Blues at Malone RFC last Saturday. Ulster dominated territory and possession during the early stages and were finally rewarded when Houston slotted over a penalty kick. The home side got the game’s opening try soon after, schoolboy scrumhalf Nathan Doak fed centre Ross Adair from a scrum and the Ballynahinch clubman powered over from close range. Houston was unable to convert but added another penalty minutes later for a convincing 11-0 half time lead. Ulster struck with their second try five minutes after the restart as Azur Allison barged over following a number of well-worked phases. Houston added the conversion.

ULSTER A’S CELTIC CUP 2019 FIXTURES: Scarlets 32 Ulster A 35 Saturda y 24th August, 2.30pm at Llandovery RFC Ulster A 32 Cardi‹ Blues 5 Saturday 31st August, 7.30pm at Malone RFC Ulster A v Connacht Friday 6th September, 4.00pm at Ballymena RFC Leinster v Ulster A Saturday 14th September, 3.00pm at Energia Park, Donnybrook Dragons v Ulster A Saturday 21st September, 2.30pm at Venue TBC Ulster A v Ospreys Friday 27th September, 5.00pm at Malone RFC Ulster A v Munster Friday 4th October, 5.00pm

at Shaw’s Bridge Celtic Cup Final Saturday 12th October

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