The third age grade Inter Provincial game of the weekend took place at Musgrave Park in Cork where the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ team took on their Munster counterparts.
CLICK HERE for shots of the guys beating Connacht in the 1st game of the series
The Ulster team had defeated Connacht Schools but lost against Leinster Schools. A win in Cork would give them the runners-up spot in the Championship.
On the resplendent surface of Musgrave Park, Ulster kicked off in their last Interprovincial fixture of the season in warm conditions. The game was continually punctuated by stoppages as both sides strove to control the breakdown area, but generally this resulted in the staccato nature of the game as penalties flowed. After decent pressure, Ulster wing Robert Lyttle opened the scoring with a straightforward penalty. Two searing breaks from Ulster outhalf, Conor Kelly, came to nothing as he couldn’t find his support players, but Lyttle increased the lead to 6-0 with his second penalty. Munster’s best efforts came to grief with elementary handling errors and eventually Ulster increased their lead with a great individual try by full back Jacob Stockdale as he scorched up the left touchline , evading would-be tacklers to dot down in the corner. Lyttle missed the difficult conversion, but Ulster held a well-deserved lead of 11-0. Against the run of play, and well into first half injury time, Munster drove at the Ulster line and eventually, No8, Kelvin Browne forced his way over for a try which outhalf, Bill Johnston converted, to leave the score at halftime reading Ulster 11 Munster 7.
The second half began with a bang as the Munster hooker was yellow carded for a tackle on the player in the air but Ulster were unable to capitalise on this situation and a rejuvenated Munster increased the pressure and Ulster scrumhalf, Cameron Fulton received a yellow card for interference at the ruck. Munster were able to take advantage of this and their right wing, Calvin Nash, squeezed into the corner for an unconverted try to give Munster an unexpected lead of 12-11. As both coaches gradually brought on their replacement players, Ulster were awarded a penalty on the halfway line and, with most spectators waiting for Ulster to kick for touch, the Ulster kicker set the ball up for a kick at goal. His decision proved to be correct as the ball sailed safely over the Munster posts to restore Ulster’s lead to 14-12. The game was virtually sealed when a poor kick from Munster was received by Ulster and great interpassing between Conor Kelly and Jacob Stockdale, saw the Methody outhalf Kelly, cross for an excellent try. Robert Lyttle was unable to convert but Ulster led 19-12. With a converted try needed to draw the game, Munster tried everything but a resolute Ulster defence held out and this young Ulster side ran out deserved victors to finish a credible second in the Interprovincial School’s Championship. Credit must go to all the players in the enlarged squad and to the Management team who looked after them so effectively this season.
