This is a correction to the previous note showing Connacht as the opposition.
The Ulster U19 team featured a number of schoolboy players when they took part in the IRFU U19 Play-Offs at Ashbourne Rugby Club on Saturday 29th. The whole day provided a feast of age-grade rugby for players and spectators alike. The Ulster U19 team opened proceedings against the Exiles U19 team, a team that included former Ulster European Cup Winner, Mark Blair, among their management team.
The Ulster team started poorly by conceding a try in the first minute. The Ulster defence failed to deal with an innocuous kick and the Exiles centre, Jacob Knight, won the foot rush to touch down for an unconverted try to give his team a 5-0 lead. The Ulster team responded in a positive manner and took play deep into the Exiles half. They came close on a number of occasions but mistakes close to the Exiles line ensured no scores. However, Jordan Grattan did get a touch down ten minutes into the game when he broke through a hesitant defence to score a try. The conversion was missed but the Ulster team was back in the game with score reading 5-5. Despite Ulster controlling most of the possession it was the Exiles that scored next. Ulster indiscipline at the breakdown was punished when Joe Carolan converted the resultant penalty to put the Exiles into an 8-5 lead after twenty five minutes of the game. Ulster should have scored a number of times before the interval but they didn’t! The first half finished with the Exiles maintaining their 8-5 lead.
A few well-chosen words from the Ulster U19 coaches, Kieran Campbell and Brian McLaughlin, at the interval saw the Ulster team start the 2nd half strongly. Justin Rea equalised the score to 8-8 with a penalty ten minutes after the restart. A few minutes later direct running from Peter Cromie saw him go over for an unconverted try to put the Ulster team into a 13-8 lead. Andrew Butler then scored in the corner following quick ruck ball being used well by his inside backs. Justin Rea converted the try to put the Ulster team into a 20-8 lead with seven minutes remaining. The Exiles mounted one last attack in the final seconds to score a try in the corner through their replacement hooker, Joe Roe. Joe Carolan was successful with his conversion attempt but it was the Ulster U19 team that emerged as 20-15 winners.
