Scriptwriters dream, Bookies nightmare

They got it right the scriptwriters; that is when they predicted an Ulster win against a badly depleted Munster side missing many of their front line stars. David Wallace, Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul O’Connell, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Peter Stringer, Ronan O’Gara and right before the kick off cruelly Mick O’Driscoll. All household names, and were all players looking to settle a score after been beaten by an Ulster side that was intent on doing the double on their provincial cousins. Their replacements were well drilled and suitably motivated by the wiliest of coaches Declan Kidney even though he is not very popular down D4 way in Dublin for putting a sharp implement right between the blades just before the HEC quarters last season. However the chat before the kick off was of a lacklustre Ulster crumbling against a side of players playing for professional status. Memories are long around Ravenhill as the nights are dark but deeply encouraged by the block buster up front display against Edinburgh Ulster were not to be denied.

But there was a sideshow going on down on the pitch. David Humphries once again slighted by the Irish management seemingly controlled by the shriekish O’Gara put on a show that epitomised everything that he is about. In one moment that epitomised the spirit of the Ulster play he took the ball deep capitalising on a Munster mistake some slack marking kicked over an advancing Munster defence, caught his own kick charging like the general he is to create even more problems yet again turning defence into attack and splitting the three quarters ingeniously. Playing with a creative flair and intellect that the current holder of the Irish number ten shirt can only dream about David Humphries was king of Ravenhill. It is just pity that the most skilful player in Ireland will never play in the green of Ireland for prising it from the school girl mafia is just an insult too far.

Munster as you would expect were admirably led by Foley from the front and by the end he was the last man standing as they were finally blown away even though they never flinched to their eternal credit were out muscled and out powered up front, the majestically brilliant Humphries and Steinmetz were just too much. Munster played a very tight and direct game working the close quarter space well and looked dangerous until they tried to move the ball wide when very aggressive Ulster defence normally snuffed out anything that resembled a threat. Right at the kick off a fiery Munster advance was halted by the help of Rolland and a Latin prop trying to make a name for himself found himself on the wrong end of the whistle and his fists on the wrong side of legality as Munster over enthusiastically tussled for the ball. It is always a sign that a team knows when they are going to be up against it, when the start to hiss and spit.

With the seemingly better of the early encounters Munster found themselves 3 points up thanks to the boot of the mercurial Paul Burke after dominating the play but early Ulster ill discipline and unforced errors gave them the opportunities. It was hoped that doubt would not creep into the Ulster play at the lack of scoring and it was vital that Ulster replied before their mistakes got the better of them and the game disintegrated into a shapeless free for all which Munster would dominate. But slowly and surely the mistakes began to leave the Ulster performance and the last half of the half saw the pack dominate up front stealing quite a few Munster throws. It saw David Humphries screw the nut and go for position when it was called for and run when it was the executioners dream to do so. The stretched Munster defence broke on 2 occasions before half time firstly with Bowe crossing from a cross-field kick by Humphries and then again when Wilson barged his way over to put the home side up Ulster 10 Munster 3 at half time. It was becoming clear that the power and the might of Ulster had begun to take its toll on the visitors who were visibly beginning to struggle. In attack Munster found themselves failing to cross the gain line thanks to outstanding Ulster defence being led by David Humphries who has obviously given his lot to the province. Neil Best in the middle of the park was roaming enforcing his particular brand of law dishing out the justice were deemed necessary in a series of bone crushing tackles that made the ground shake and the stand quiver. There was no way through for brave Munster as Ulster had a point to prove and the race for the Celtic league title was the prize.

The spirit of the team throughout was unquenchable and was openly displayed throughout. Justin Harrison yet again proved to be best signing Ulster have completed. In one try saving tackle the big lad bundled a Munster back into touch saving the integrity and the blushes of the home side when a score looked certain. He was aided and abetted by Tommy Bowe who took a step towards regaining a little of his self-belief. Stephen Ferris yet again proved he is going to be the next best thing since sliced pan. He brushed through several defenders to be stopped short of the line in a superb burst of power and acceleration that will surely bring him into contention for an Irish cap next season. Well maybe not while Eddie is in power. A mention must also go to Jonny Bell who played well and proved an accomplished if only slightly rusty foil to the outstanding Paul Steinmetz whose rapier thrusts were lethal and crashed over for a well deserved try. Bell can be adjudged to have been unlucky to be given out as the hurried Munster defence bundled him into touch after he grounded the ball. In fairness to Rolland he consulted his linesman and the winced as he watched the replay which showed the incorrect decision. Justin Harrison showed his displeasure as Simon Best accepted his apology. But for the ensuing play Ulster barged over courtesy to Justin Harrison and still not a conversion in sight but Ulster were almost out of at Ulster 22 Munster 3. Mission accomplished and the bonus point secured before Neil McMillan leapt on a very clever Kieran Campbell kick to finish the scoring at Ravenhill to leave it Ulster 27 Munster 3.

Ulster started the way the finished against Edinburgh aggressively taking the game to the opposition and with David Humphries controlling events with a panache not seen from him around Ravenhill for quite some time. While Ireland diminish and hide behind a façade of results that are the consequences of poor play from poor teams and find it hard to distinguish between mediocrities spin and damned statistics, Ulster continue to grow in stature. Not disrupted by 6 Nations call-ups or poor general planning of the rugby season it was no wonder Mark McCall and Allen Clarke wrapped their arms around each other. 2 happy wee boys went home to have their supper content with the vision of Ulster rugby that had been displayed before them. It suits Ulster that Eddie has not yet twigged onto to Stephen Ferris, Neil Best as the best number 6 in the land nor has he discovered Isaac Boss the tormentor and worst of all seems to have forgotten about David Humphries in another master class display of skill that only he can conjure up. But Eddie will trundle on oblivious to it all creating spin with a few mirrors and the odd slight of hand thrown in.

Now in pole position this league is there for the taking. Although this was a very much weakened Munster side it is five points that puts Ulster at the top of the pile for the first time in a couple of seasons. The league is now in our own hands. It is now up to Ulster. It is now up to the players to decide how ambitious they are. This particular set of players has the opportunity to go on to greatness and bring back the Holy Grail in the next 2 or 3 seasons. The maturity and the potential once talked about now has to come to fruition. The signs are good.

ULSTER
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, 9 - Isaac Boss, 10 - David Humphreys, 11 - Andrew Maxwell, 12 - Paul Steinmetz, 13 - Jonathan Bell, 14 - Tommy Bowe, 15 - Bryn Cunningham

Replacements: 16 - Nigel Brady, 17 - Justin Fitzpatrick, 18 - Ryan Caldwell, 19 - Neil McMillan, 20 - Kieran Campbell, 21 - Adam Larkin, 22 - Kevin Maggs,

MUNSTER
1 - Frankie Roche, 2 - Denis Fogarty, 3 - Federico Pucciariello, 4 - Brian Madigan, 5 - Mick O'Driscoll, 6 - Stephen Keogh, 7 - John O'Sullivan, 8 - Anthony Foley (captain), 9 - Tomas O'Leary, 10 - Paul Burke, 11 - Anthony Horgan, 12 - Trevor Halstead, 13 - Barry Murphy, 14 - Ian Dowling, 15 - Shaun Payne.

Replacements: 16 - Eugene McGovern, 17 - Tony Buckley, 18 - Mark Melbourne, 19 - Johnny O'Connor, 20 - Mike Prendergast, 21 - Mossie Lawlor, 22 - Gary Connolly.

Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU). Touch Judges: Alan Rogan (IRFU), Eanna O'Dowd (IRFU)

Name			Your comments
	Brehon		Great report Colin - I particularly welcome your grace and respect towards Munster. That seemed to be reflected on-field also. Love that Aussie!