Ulster win away in Wales for the first time in 3 years. The young players stood up to be counted against an experienced side. Taking everything the Ospreys threw at them, they repelled the O's attack again and again, winning great field posession, and scoring three trys into the bargain.
Talk about entertaining rugby! Two tries by Simon Danielli and one by Dan Tuohy, were the culmination of some beautiful play by Ulster. Ian Humhreys was the stand-out MOTM, and his evasive running coupled with excellent vision, gave the delighted Ulstersupporters that made the trip something to shout about.
It wasn't all easy going, and thankfully James Hook had left his kicking boots at home, but with ball in hand, Ulster's pack and backline showed great technical ability and style when going through the phases.
Ospreys started well and Ulster looked vulnerable from the kick-off. The Ospreys pack looked formidable and was at least 5 stone heavier than Ulsters', but good defense by Ulster (which underpinned their win) was evident almost straight away, as was their new physicality. I began to get worried as Timoci Nagusa missed a tackle, and Ian Humphreys initially looked like he was continuing in the same form as last week, slicing a defensive kick into touch, and Simon Danielli was penalised in front of the posts on 4 minutes for not rolling away after the tackle, James Hook scoring easily from the 22.
Almost immediately after the restart, Ulster kept posession, recycled well, Issac Boss making a quick pass, and with an inspirational jinking run by Humphreys, Chris Henry and Timoci Nagusa combined to tear up the Ospreys defensive line, made great space, and set up Dan Tuohy to score the first try. Humphreys missed his conversion leaving the score at Ospreys 3 Ulster 5.
This was a completely unexpected turn of events. The Ospreys were by far the in-form side, and expected victors. But the underdogs were not finished yet! As the Ospreys responded to the Ulster try, they battled upfield but their short-passing was anticipated by that man again, Ian Humphreys, who intercepted a pass from Jonny Vaughton, and stormed away upfield. Realising he hadn't the legs to carry him to the line, he cleverly took out a defender, and released Simon Danielli for Ulster’s 2nd try beneath the posts. This time Humphreys’ conversion was unmissable, making it Ospreys 3 Ulster 12 after 10 minutes on the clock.
The Ospreys hit back with some good hands along the line, and a try not converted by Walker on the wing, but Ulsters defense was immense.
Hook missed two more penalty attempts, during the remaining time in the 1st half, the most notable incident from this was Tuohy being knocked out by Collins following a heavy tackle where Collins seemed to strike his midriff with is shoulder. Tuohy was out cold before he hit the ground. Subsequently substituted as a precaution, Ulster went on to gain another penalty allowing Humphreys to increase the lead to 7 points. Again the Ospreys made a good breaking run, with only Nagusa saving Ulster with a try-saving tackle.
As the first half ended, Humphreys mis-understood Alen Lewis the ref, thinking time had run out, and kicking the ball in to touch. During the subsequent quick lineout, Clinton Schifcofske let his determination get the better of him, by slapping the ball away, and earning himself a yellow card. Duncan Jones scored the ospreys 2nd try from the resulting penalty and lineout, but Hook once again missed the conversion from near the touch line.
Half-time score Ospreys 13 Ulster 15
Hook quickly put the Ospreys into the lead as the 2nd half started, after Simon Danielli clumsily knocked the ball forward.This put the O's in front 16-15.
Humphreys takes anoth chance with a long range penalty from 45m out, which he misses. Having failed that, he once again shows some 'Davey magic' to make amends. Passing the ball out to Nagusa, he lets fly down the wing to feed Ian Whitten, who passes on to Danielli for his 2nd try of the game. Humphreys misses the conversion. but the score now sits at 16-20 to Ulster.
The Ospreys couldnt come up with anything else during the remainder of the match. Ulster soaked up their pressure with fierce tackling, and good ball retention, the pack especially showing a physical prowess at the breakdown, continuing with the pick and go, and using the rolling maul very effectively.
The Ospreys continued to force Ulster back into their half, Hook using his boot to pin them down, and with only minutes to go, substitue Horura gives a penalty away for name-calling the ref something that we had all been calling him the last half hour. It doesn't make a difference, and Ulster maintain their 4 point lead until the final whistle and a particularly satisfying victory against the Ospreys on their home turf; a real turnaround from last weeks defeat.. Phew! Stand up for the Ulstermen.
Full Time score Ospreys 16 Ulster 20
Ospreys: Barry Davies; Jonny Vaughton, Sonny Parker, Andrew Bishop, Nikki Walker; James Hook, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Cai Griffiths, Ian Gough, Andy Lloyd, Jerry Collins, Marty Holah, Ryan Jones (capt).
Replacements: Huw Bennett for Hibbard (49), Duncan Jones for Griffiths (57), Jonathan Thomas for Lloyd (49), Tom Smith for Collins (68), Jamie Nutbrown or M. Phillips (72), Dan Biggar for Vaughton (79), Tommy Bowe for Walker (53).
Ulster: C Schifcofske; T Nagusa, D Cave, I Whitten, S Danielli; Ian Humphreys, I Boss; B Young, A Kyriacou, BJ Botha, E O'Donoghue, D Tuohy, C Henry (capt), W Faloon, R Diack.
Replacements: N Brady for Kyriacou (71), D Fitzpatrick for Botha (57), T Horua for Diack (54), T Anderson for Tuohy (27), C Willis for Nagusa (57), N O'Connor, J Shiels.
