Dragons 0 Ulster 12
Ulster overcame the swirling wind and rain to overpower the lowly Dragons at Rodney Parade.
Dan McFarland’s side were good value for the four points with their set-piece and carrying game getting the better of the plucky Welsh region. This was by no means a classic with the difficult conditions turning it into an error strewn affair, but Ulster won the collisions, and as a result the game.
Scrumhalf Nathan Doak was the star man with his tactical kicking, and game management playing a crucial part in ensuring Ulster left south Wales with four points in the bag. The visitors thought they had scored when Doak crossed the line, but the television match official concluded that Sam Davies’ hand was underneath the ball.
After a scrappy opening 30 minutes Ulster’s pack began to get on top. The Dragons were forced into making a lot of tackles, and James Hume exploited some tired legs as he broke clear into the Welsh side’s 22 before releasing Doak.
A tremendous tackle from Dragons fullback Josh Lewis brought the scrumhalf down just short of the try line, but the ball was quickly recycled for Marcus Rea to score at the far left-hand corner to give the visitors a 5-0 half time lead.
After the break Ulster’s pack continued to dominate with their scrum pushing the Dragons backwards at a rate of knots. Ben Moxham crossed at the corner but his foot was in touch.
Touchline conversion
However, they didn’t have to wait long until they were celebrating a try for real as John Andrew powered his way over the line courtesy of a well-worked driving lineout. Doak added the extras with a sensational touchline conversion into the swirling wind.
To their credit the Dragons refused to throw in the towel, and enjoyed a period of pressure with No 8 Dan Baker making headway with his carries. But they lacked a cutting edge behind the scrum, while outhalf Davies also missed a penalty from right in front of the posts. The Dragons huffed and puffed but couldn’t get enough go forward to make any real dents in the Ulster defence.
Billy Burns was extremely effective in the final quarter of the game with his tactical kicking ensuring Ulster stayed in control of proceedings. Things got a lot more difficult for the Dragons when replacement prop Mesake Doge received a yellow card for a reckless shoulder charge.
Ian Madigan’s late penalty from the halfway line hit the posts, but it didn’t matter as the victory was already in Ulster’s bag.
Scorers
Ulster - Tries: M Rea 39 mins, J Andrew 46 mins; Conversions: N Doak 48 mins.
Teams
Dragons: J Lewis; J Holmes, A Warren, A Owen, R Dyer; S Davies, G Bertranou; G Bateman, T Davies, C Coleman; J Davies, J Maksymiw; H Keddie, O Griffiths, D Baker.
Replacements: A Seiuli for G Bateman 57 mins, M Doge for C Coleman 49 mins, H Taylor for H Taylor 33 mins, G Young for D Baker 72 mins, R Williams for G Bertranou 49 mins, W Talbot-Davies for J Holmes 65 mins.
Ulster: R Lyttle, R Baloucoune, J Hume, S McCloskey, B Moxham; B Burns, N Doak; A Warwick, J Andrew, T O'Toole; K Treadwell, S Carter; D McCann, M Rea, N Timoney.
Replacements: B Roberts for J Andrew 50 mins, E O’Sullivan for A Warwick 50 mins, M Moore for T O’Toole 48 mins, C Izuchukwu for S Carter 60 mins, M Rea for D McCan 60 mins, I Madigan for B Burns 70 mins, S Moore for S McCloskey 74 mins.
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy).
