Ulster Rugby vs Zebre

INTER PROVINCIAL SERIES 2014

ULSTER U20s Allen Clarke and Kieran Campbell’s charges got their inter-provincial campaign off to the perfect start with a bonus point 27-7 win over Connacht at Kingspan Stadium last Friday night. Ulster enjoyed much of the possession and territory in the first half but failed to convert a number of scoring opportunities, Sean O’Hagan’s penalty the only reward for their dominance. A strong second period yielded 24 points that came courtesy of tries from Connor Young, Adam Liddell, Jack Owens and Lorcan Dow. O’Hagan converted two of the scores. The back three of Liddell, Owens and Jacob Stockdale looked dangerous throughout and look to have promising futures, while up front, Lorcan Dow made his presence felt with some strong carries and good defensive work. ULSTER U19s Ulster U19s fought hard against a resolute Connacht team to secure a 24-17 triumph at Belfast Harlequins RFC on Saturday. The side, which contained a mix of school and club players, took their time to settle before opening up a 14 point gap, only for that to be reduced to 7 late on. Jonny Rossborough, Matt Fisher, Andrew Cordosi and Adam McBurney scored the tries which sealed a four try bonus, while Gareth Millar converted two. ULSTER SCHOOLS The Ulster Schools team scored four tries in each half to register a comprehensive 53-0 win over Connacht in Ballinasloe on Saturday afternoon. Robert Lyttle scored a first half brace and Conor Field and Fergus Jemphrey also touched down to seal the bonus point by half time. Jemphrey added his second after the interval, with Conor Kelly, Ben O’Reilly and Jack Howard also scoring. The rest of the points came from the accurate boots of Lyttle and Matthew McDowell. The young Ulstermen produced a superb performance and scored some incisive tries but they can expect to face tougher challenges in their remaining two fixtures.

ULSTER U18 CLUBS Chris Parker and his assistants Gareth Bronte and Jonny Graham, will hope their training over the past few months (which involved players from 22 different clubs) will pay off when they start their campaign tomorrow against Leinster at Navan RFC. ULSTER WOMEN Ulster Women began their inter-pro series in disappointing fashion, losing 0-22 to an experienced Munster side in front of a good crowd at Kingspan Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The damage was done in the first half as the visitors scored three tries to earn a 17 point advantage at the break. Munster got their fourth try shortly after half time but Ulster responded with a good spell, in which they deserved a score of their own. While the hosts were second best for much of the game, the Ulster coaching staff will draw plenty of positives from a spirited second half performance. There were some promising moments from Queen’s University backs Peita McAlister and Emma Jordan, two of four players to make their first competitive start for the Province

INTER PRO UPDATE

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