Tovey treble undoes Ulster

by setanta.com staff , 22 February 2009

Jason Tovey claimed a hat-trick of tries as The Dragons came from behind to defeat Ulster 26-16 in Sunday afternoon’s Magners League meeting at Rodney Parade.

Tovey’s treble was enough for the hosts to move above their opponents and Cardiff Blues to seventh in the table, though Ulster led for much of the match after Simon Danielli went over for their sole try.

The game was in its infancy when Tovey crossed the line for the opening score, with much of the credit due to Richard Fussell as Ulster were found wanting.

Fussell made a marauding run down the left channel, storming past Ian Humphreys and Andrew Trimble bafore releasing the ball. It came wide to Tovey who had a clear run at the line and imminently touched down. Shaun Connor failed with his conversion attempt, however.

Surely unhappy at his role in that try Humphreys was quick to make some amends with a penalty to get Ulster on the scoresheet, but when awarded a second three-pointer chance just a minute later, he was off target.

Despite having Ireland international Tom Court sin-binned in the early stages, Matt Williams’ men were pushing their hosts back plenty and while they were not making the most of their first-half wind advantage, they hit the front midway through the half thanks to Danielli.

The Scotland international pressurised Joe Bearman into conceding possession, stealing the ball and showing great resilience to barge clear of an admittedly inept Martyn Thomas tackle and jog behind the posts. Humphreys converted for a 10-5 lead.

Humphreys then had a third penalty some four minutes before half-time, but this time there was a reprieve for Paul Turner’s charges as he struck the upright to see his side’s interval lead at five points.

The second half saw an early penalty for The Dragons, but from quite a distance out, Connor was just off target for the second time in the game. Tovey then missed from range as well before Connor resumed kicking duties and with his third placed ball of the day he finally split the posts to bring the gap back to two.

However, that kick-started Ulster more than it did the home side and a couple of quick breaks led to The Dragons being forced into conceding two penalties.Clinton Schifcofske put both of them over, with Humphryes at this point having been withdrawn for Niall O’Connor.

Tovey hit back with a quick penalty for The Dragons and soon found it in himself to drag his side level with a great individual try, though he did so with Ulster at 14 men again, David Pollock offending once too often and getting sent to the bin.

The Newport-born player found himself taking on Ulster replacement Stuart Phillpott on the Dragons left and was much too strong and clever for the hooker as he weaved his way past him and touched down. That had the sides level and they stayed that way as Tovey missed the conversion.

However, the same player was then gifted a penalty to give his side the lead and he made no mistake to make it 19-16.

Then with two minutes to go more sloppy Ulster play saw the ball fall loose and the lively Tovey was the only man alive to it as he seized it and sprinted to touch down his third try right between the posts. The day’s star turn then kicked over a further two points for a ten-point win that was probably not a fair reflection of a game where neither team created much for large periods.

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