ULSTER - Celtic League Champions 2006-2006
Celtic league Champions 2005-2006
©INPHO/Huw Evans
HARRISON THE ULSTERMAN
It has been a great year for Irish Rugby.
First the Triple Crown, the HEC and now Ulster have been
crowned the Celtic League Champions. This one was the best
of the lot of them. When Justin Harrison got his big mitts
on the trophy you could see the lines of motion and satisfaction
etched all over his face in a half hours euphoric and emotional
celebrations at the Liberty Stadium. The stand in Ulster
captain took the prize he and his team worked so hard for
to the ever-loyal Ulster supporters that were lucky enough
to be in the stadium. What happened next I have never witnessed
before, as it was just incredible. The Munster celebrations
of last season in Dublin and even on Saturday in Cardiff
were paled into insignificance. Even those of Murrayfield
will have to come second to these. The crowd may have been
smaller but the hysteria and respect greater.
Ulster did not even await the formal photographs as had been scripted for Harrison led his charges straight over to the Ulster fans to show off the prize his side had delivered for them. He personally shook the hand of almost every Ulster fan in the stadium taking time to personally greet each one he encountered. Never before has such mutual admiration between the fans and their team been shown. Justin Harrison is not only and big man on the field but he is an even bigger one off it. Makes me think how foolish the words of Peter Bills were when he said that the rugby world would be better off without Justin and a lot of people are now wondering what goes on in the mind of Maurice Field when he wondered what Justin had done for Ulster rugby. Well gentlemen the riposte to your questions was on display for all to see on Fri night. Not only did the fans have the chance to see the trophy once but yet again after the scripted photographs had been taken the team returned to the glee of the fans. This is why Ulster rugby is so great. This is the difference between Ulster and any other team in the Western World.
While the title by this stage was Ulster’s
to lose at time they did their best to do so. But it is no
mean feat to go to the Ospreys and come away with a victory
against a side that has high ambition enjoying a run any
side would be proud off. It was a tense affair with Ulster
showing great character and never loosing sight of the objective
if at times they seemed to run into the odd obstacle or two
along the way. It was not a finish for the faint hearted
but was fitting for the occasion in the magnificent Liberty
Stadium. The excitement generated in the most nerve wracking
of finales was suitable for the finality of the event. It
went right down to the wire with only the brave able to watch
it. Women and children all over the country ran desperately
into the kitchens to hide for Davy Humphries had not had
a drop at goal attempt go over all season and had missed
2 penalties earlier including one that hit the post from
directly in front. But from 45 meters he hit this one as
sweetly as you could have wanted. He dropped back into the
pocket as Kieran Campbell fed him for the climax to what
has been a momentous and incredible start of the journey
for this side. The ball sailed through the air seemingly
on target only to hit the upright as half of the population
gasped in disbelief. Was it to be? Ulster had pressed the
Osprey’s hard all night creating great chances only to be
spurned at the end. The ball then dropped towards the other
post. Ulster waited. The ball fell goal side and Ulster exploded
as the wives and children of Ulster fans returned from their
sculleries in relief.
It was not all plain sailing for Ulster as the Ospreys went into an early lead after Harrison missed a tackle, which allowed Vaughton to score and Henson to convert. However the initial signs were good with an enterprising start and no sign of panic just a determined indication that these boys knew what was required of them if they were to win. Before long pressure on the Ospreys defence forced the penalty, which Humphries converted. The game was on. The relentless white machine cranked up and gear forcing the odd turn over and the lineout was beginning to function after a couple of misses which indirectly led to the first try conceded. Ulster were beginning to exert a continuous flow of pressure with Boss coming close. Rampaging drives by Wilson and Ferris were a constant source of problems for the home side as their very tough and physical pack were up against the granite of Ulster. And it was the granite that was beginning to exert more pressure and force mistakes. The grinding maul was making inroads especially Justin Fitzpatrick before Matt McCullough forced himself over to score Ulster’s only try of the evening. Humphries kicked the conversion and a further penalty before half time before the siege gun known as Gavin Henson sunk one for the home side to leave the score at half time: Ospreys 10 Ulster 13. To be honest Ulster should have been kicking themselves for the chances spurned and the missed opportunities such was the dominance. For the Ospreys the tactical kicking of Conor was decisive for them while the running of Parker, Henson and Bishop could prove incisive save for the courageous tackling of Wallace and Trimble not forgetting Humphries despite 6 stitches in his head.
The second saw Ulster create chances but not properly finishing the job off while the Ospreys exploited these massed chances moving the ball well in mid field creating space to launch Henson before spinning it wide to the electric Williams but the Ulster defence held resolute and Williams was well policed by Tommy Bowe in particular. Ospreys cleverly and dangerously exploited the mistakes of Ulster who were always threatening in attack. Humphries missed 2 very kickable penalties to put the hearts of the folk from the province into the most dangerous state imaginable. It was turning out to be high drama and it was looking as if Leinster might snatch the title since they were engaged in the demolition of Edinburgh. However it was not their title to win. Despite all the misses the creative running of the Ospreys and the incredible kicking of Gavin Henson, who can kick to the moon and back the Ulster star was in the ascendancy well into the final quarter. A break by Stephen Ferris the find of the season put Andrew Trimble into space and almost all the way over the try line only to be stopped a yard short, Ospreys conceding the penalty and a man, Thomas in the bin. Humphries missed the penalty and the Ulster game turned into sand.
Down to 14 men the Ospreys made the most of every advantage bravely denying Ulster who by now had almost a hand on the trophy pressing on the opposition line when a scrum 5 yards out resulted in a free to the home side just as the front rows touched. It was total heartbreak for Ulster fans. Ospreys with 14 men gained a line out a few meters out. The Ulster line was suckered and split for Spice to cruise in for the seven pointer putting the score Ospreys 17 Ulster 16 and five minutes left on the clock. Stand up for the Ulstermen was silenced as the home fans let a deafening roar. Ulster were in trouble, deep deep trouble. Panic, not a chance 5 minutes was ample time for what was to happen. Too much time maybe as the injury time that followed allowed Ospreys to run and try to breech the defence of the champions but for them it was not to be. Then it happened the Humphries moment.
Back in the changing rooms Justin Harrison led a tribute to his Captain Simon Best who was unable to travel. It was a noble and fitting one. Neil Best was awarded the Man Of The Match Award. With typical humility he denied having played well enough to earn it. However his intelligent running on the open side and magnificent work on the ground at the breakdown were some of the factors that earned him the award. His abrasive and ferocious tackling as well as his sterling work in the lineout, were also significant contributing factors.
It was magnificently scripted and executed and worthy of the occasion. The tensions erupted into the joy and relief of champions. The Ospreys players were the first to congratulate Ulster in a heartfelt manner. They are a side with competence and great ability awaiting next season and worthy contenders in this finale. No matter what way you look at it Ulster are the Champions and the number one Irish seeded team on the first season of the new rules by the IRFU after a realisation that the Celtic League is the only show in town. Next season, well we now have to have a go at Europe in the next stage of this great journey these young men have embarked upon.
Ospreys: Gavin Henson; Jonathan Vaughton, Sonny Parker, Andrew Bishop, Shane Williams; Shaun Connor, Jason Spice; Paul James, Barry Williams (capt), Adam Jones, Alun Wyn Jones, Lyndon Bateman, James Bater, Jonathan Thomas, Lee Beach.
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, Duncan Jones, Andrew Millward, Andrew Newman, Richard Pugh, Matthew Jones, Stefan Terblanche.
Ulster: B Cunningham; T Bowe, A Trimble, P Wallace, A Maxwell; D Humphreys, I Boss; J Fitzpatrick, R Best, B Young, J Harrison, M McCullough, N Best, S Ferris, R Wilson.
Replacements: N Brady, R Moore, R Caldwell, N McMillan, K Campbell, J Bell, J Topping.
Referee:: David Changleng (SRU). Touch Judges: Tim Hayes (WRU), Gwyn Morris (WRU).
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