THE HEAT IS ON

It took Ulster just 17 minutes to do the job. It was a blitzkrieg that was unstoppable. The Borders with maybe a few other thoughts on their minds such as economic survival were beat by a hungry Ulster side that managed to score nine tries in the process with the bonus point secured after 17 minutes. Shock and awe was the feeling around Ravenhill before a complacent Ulster almost let Borders back into the game with a combination of back luck, slick Borders play and some lazy defending. You had to feel sorry for players like the magnificent Gregor Townsend, so often the architect of many a Scottish victory in the past but sadly now too few to mention. Having said that give them a sniff and the Borders did not need a second invitation to attack and to their eternal credit they never gave up but continued to battle right to the very end showing spirit and character. They came away from Ravenhill with considerably more respect than Cardiff last week, a better side, but who played too many after's off the ball. Borders were hard, aggressive, pugnacious and worthy of respect given to an honourable friend.

The night was all about Ulster who heaped the pressure on Leinster just when it was needed. Nine tires and each one of them deserved put Ulster’s points difference up by another 46 points. There were plenty of positives in the performance, 63 of them to be exact and a few negative, some five worrying injuries to be a little less precise. Campbell was aided off the field with what looked like a strained knee; Jonny Bell was subbed after 10 minutes nursing a bruised shoulder. While Stephen Ferris was taken off with a hand injury, Davy Humphries limping badly after scuffing a hack through and finally Matty McCullough with an injury to his leg but refused to leave the field of play. In an amusing aside Ulster were momentarily playing with 16 men before McCullough pushed Ryan Caldwell back to the touch line. That’s a robust character for you.

A strong performance no doubt but hopefully when the swellings subside and at not too much of a cost. But not only was the blitz satisfying but the return of the prodigal son PW Wallace was the most satisfying aspect of the evening. He played his best game for Ulster in my memory. His running was sublime, his tackling was heroic and above all else his creativity was back to his scorching best. Recall the try a couple of seasons ago against Stade to win us the game from the brink. Paddy has been playing well all season for Ballymena but took those performances to a totally different level and proved to be the creator of most of the best of the Ulster performance. However let us not forget the evergreen David Humphries who orchestrated and gave Paddy the ball he thrives on. Normally delivered inch perfect by the stupendous Boss, once again proving to be the best number 9 in Ireland and a worthy winner of the Man of the Match award.

Mind you it did not exactly start well for the home side with the Borders kicking an early penalty to go ahead by three points but it was the calm before the storm. For in the next 15 minutes Ulster scored 4 tries in an incredible period of back play rarely seen in professional rugby. The raw unbridled talent given space by Boss on go forward ball let rip. Tries by Maxwell, Trimble Ferris and Bowe sent a clear message to the rest of the league. The three weeks of conditioning has paid off. The power of the pack was impressive being totally dominant at scrum time. However did little to challenge on the opposition throw in the line out and lost more than the odd one on their own throws. While the pack excelled in the front it was the artistry of the Ulster back line that tore the heart out of a stout Borders defence. But the visitors were not for lying down and certainly did not understand the word implode. Inspired by Townsend they attacked the 10 channel and in particular Davy Humphries with their big runners such as Moffett. Humphries was not found wanting but good clean fast ball then to the open side found some gaps in the Ulster defence which in the main were plugged by the cover defence. But they got through when Moffett scored a deserved try and got a second when Danielli scored one of the best tries by an away team at Ravenhill. On a charge down on the half way the ball bobbled about before Townsend snaffled it to dash up field. The move was halted close to the Ulster line with the 10 channel attacked and then in a moment of sublime skill Townsend looped away from the breakdown sucking in and stalling any defensive cover, before the Ulster defence could realign to create the extra man and Danielli scored in the corner. It was simple and it was brilliant. But it only served to spur Ulster on and within 5 minutes Trimble had scored for Ulster leaving the score Ulster 36: Borders 17.

The second half was very much more of the same with normal service being resumed and a more ruthless Ulster putting the combatant and brave Borders very much to the sword. Built on the back of a tremendous forward effort. Humphries kicked a penalty early on. However another barrage of tries by Bowe, Maxwell, Wallace and Maxwell put the home side well out of sight in a clinical performance that should put the boys in good heart for the final 2 fixtures of the season. The blistering pace and determination of Andrew Maxwell was once again impressive. While Paddy Wallace continued to tackle whatever came onto his radar and put his opponent on to the deck whether he be 17 or 12 stone in weight. Very impressively the defensive realignments were quick and decisive. In contrast the Borders attack was laboured at times with little movement off the ball and any creativity was well marshaled by a ready and able Ulster midfield duo coupled with a hard and honest performance by the back row dealt with most threats before they materialised.

The performance was as impressive as the score line suggests. There were mistakes but the catalyst was Paddy Wallace, seemingly invigorated by his absence from the squad. The mid week words of Neil Best ring in my ears when he said that this season’s levels of performance are no surprise as the boys have worked hard together with the players and the coach really getting to know each other now and the plays beginning to click. Certainly the back line was very slick and close to the awe. But the shock was created by the pack. As an aside our honorary Ulsterman Justin Harrison was sent off for an innocuous offence in what looked like an incident where the referee was looking to stamp his authority. There was no need for the referee to stamp his authority, as the game was not bad tempered save for a very minor incident just previously. But it is hardly worth a mention.

So this was always going to be the least difficult of the four and so it proved. Cardiff was demonstrative of the guts of the side after 3 weeks off. The real test lies ahead not next week in Stradey but the following week in Swansea. Scarlets will be difficult but not insurmountable and the multitude of fixtures may have taken its toll on Llanelli. However without Simon Easterby they are not the half the force they are with him. Ospreys are in form and looking good. Well they would need to be for we are Ulstermen. Full time Ulster 63 Borders 17.

ULSTER: 15 - Bryn Cunningham; 14 - Tommy Bowe; 13 - Andrew Trimble; 12 - Jonny Bell; 11 - Andrew Maxwell; 10 - David Humphreys; 9 - Isaac Boss; 1 - Bryan Young; 2 - Rory Best; 3 - Simon Best (Captain); 4 - Justin Harrison; 5 - Matt McCullough; 6 - Neil Best; 7 - Stephen Ferris; 8 - Roger Wilson

Replacements: 16 - Paul Shields; 17 - Justin Fitzpatrick; 18 - Ryan Caldwell; 19 - Neil McMillan; 20 - Kieran Campbell; 21 - Paddy Wallace; 22 - Tyrone Howe

Referee: James Jones (WRU)

Name			Your comments
	Billno10		Great game, thought Wallace was good, back on form from playing weekly in the league. Lets hope he only gets better. Sad to say goodbye to T-Bone, and a fantastic way to leave Fortress Ravenhill. Top report. C'mon Ulster, lets beat the Scarlets to take the trophy on Friday.