Ulster Rugby 24 – 33 Cardiff Blues
Clinical Cardiff Blues broke their duck on Irish soil this season by recording a comfortable victory over Ulster at Ravenhill in a Magners League clash.
Former All Blacks Casey Lualala and Xavier Rush scored first half tries for the Blues, somewhat against the run of play, but the Welsh region were good value for their victory after their defence took everything Ulster could throw at them.
In conditions perfect for running rugby Ulster had all the early running and deservedly went into the lead through a Niall O’Connor penalty.
Against the run of play, Blues centre Laulala intercepted a pass and ran 75m to score under the posts. Ceri Sweeney’s conversion put the Blues 3-7 in front.
The home side continued to dominate but were unable to penetrate the staunch Blues defence. Despite playing all the rugby, Ulster found themselves further behind when Leigh Halfpenny banged over a long range penalty to put the Blues 3-10 in front.
The Ulster front row were penalised for dropping a scrum and Halfpenny stepped up and rammed over another long range effort to put Ulster 3-13 behind.
Ulster were playing with plenty of ambition and intensity but were unable to convert it into points. Eventually O’Connor whittled away three points with a penalty in the 32nd minute.
But a minute later Rush finished off a flourishing move from the Blues. Isaac Boss knocked the ball on and the Blues swept the ball up and fired it out wide where Lualala combined with his fellow former All Black and Rush powered home from 22m. Sweeney’s conversion put the visitors 6-20 ahead.
O’Connor clawed back three more points with his third penalty of the evening but Halfpenny matched that with his third success to give the Blues a 9-23 lead at the break.
Ulster were guilty of trying to force the game as errors began to litter their game but Andrew Trimble burst into life to ignite a lightening attack. The ball was spread wide to man mountain Stephen Ferris who powered through Tom James, Gareth Williams and Chris Czekaj en route to the try line.
Ulster were caught off side and Halfpenny rubbed their noses in it with another penalty to put the Blues 17-26 ahead.
The Blues were then well on course to win their first game on Irish soil this season when replacement centre Dafydd Hewitt danced his way over after patient phase play by the visitors. The Blues went through 19 phases of play before Hewitt spotted a gap and breezed past BJ Botha.
Ulster’s endeavour paid dividends when No 8 Chris Henry was put over in the corner as the home side threw caution to the wind to get a losing bonus point. Ian Humphreys conversion brought the Irish side within nine points but they ran out of time to bring them within the seven required for the bonus point.
