Scorers for Ulster: Tries: Simon Danielli (2), Pens: Ian Humphreys (1); Cons: Ian Humphreys (1)
Scorers for Munster: Tries: Jean De Villiers (1), Pens: Paul Warwick (1); Cons: Paul Warwick (1)
Ulster bounced back from a defeat to Leinster last week, with an impressive home win over Munster this evening at Ravenhill.
A capacity crowd watched on as a brace of first half tries from Simon Danielli were vital, with Irish International Stephen Ferris among those impressing for the hosts.
This win leaves Munster with only one victory over Ulster at Ravenhill since 2004.
The visitors put huge pressure on Ulster in the opening ten minutes, but it was some stern defending by the hosts which drew most of the early plaudits, with Andrew Trimble ending an early Munster attack.
Munster failed to capitalise on their early dominance of possession as Ulster performed strongly showing great resilience and determination.
Ulster broke the scoring deadlock in the 12th minute, with a superbly executed penalty kick from Ian Humphrey’s to put his side into an early 3-0 lead.
It just got better for Brian McLaughlin’s charges with his side hungry for scores.
Danielli claimed the first try of 2010 at Ravenhill after quick-thinking Ulster exposed a lapse by the visitors.
Fly-half Paul Warwick tried a chip kick on the right, which was half-blocked by Ulster’s Paddy Wallace.
The ball fell to the unmarked Danielli after he out-jumped Doug Howlett, with the big Scottish winger bursting towards the line to touch down in the left corner.
Humphreys continued to be deadly accurate in front of the posts to ensure a 10-0 lead in the 21st minute.
Ulster’s speed and agility continued to reap dividends as Munster looked hugely exposed at the back.
Left-winger Danielli continued to deliver gifts after some superb work by Andrew Trimble earned the 30 year old his second try of the night.
Trimble fed a precision pass to Danielli after an attempted tackle by Jean De Villiers. Danielli again showed great pace to crash over the line for his second try inside three minutes.
Humphreys failed to land the resulting conversion, with Munster making a strong effort to claw their way back into this game.
The visitors were unlucky not to take a try in the 32nd minute after great work by James Coughlan, who burst through the Ulster defence with a superb sidestepping surge.
However a well placed hit by Irish International Stephen Ferris halted Tony Buckley from crossing over for a try from close range.
The visiting supporters eventually had something to shout about after Lifeimi Mafi broke inside the hosts 22, with Humphreys attempting to rip the ball free.
However Jean De Villiers scooped up the loose ball to break through for his third try in as many games, despite calls from the home supporters that the South African was offside.
Munster continued to plough successfully into the Ulster lead, with a subsequent conversion and an injury-time penalty kick ensuring a 15-10 half-time score-line.
Ulster were keen to complete a hat-trick of tries early in the second half and in the 48th minute Isaac Boss almost done the necessary.
But Boss winning his 99th cap for the Red-Hand province was left disappointed after referee Dudley Phillips called for a knock-on.
Ulster subsequently pushed too early in the resulting scrum, losing a decent attacking opportunity to place more pressure on the visitors rear-guard.
Munster were also guilty of missed scoring chances with wayward kicks from Warwick and Denis Hurley – with Warwick hitting the uprights with a 67th minute penalty.
Despite Munster dominating possession in the closing stages, searching for an equalising try, Ulster remained resilient to take victory.
This win puts Ulster in sixth place as they head into a home tie against Ospreys next Friday night.
ULSTER:15. Jamie Smith 14. Andrew Trimble 13. Ian Whitten 12. Paddy Wallace 11. Simon Danielli 10. Ian Humphreys 9. Isaac Boss
1. Tom Court 2. Nigel Brady 3. BJ Botha 4. Ed O’Donoghue 5. Dan Tuohy 6. Stephen Ferris 7. Willie Faloon 8. Chris Henry
Replacements: 16. Andy Kyriacou 17. Declan Fitzpatrick 18. Ryan Caldwell 19. TJ Anderson 20. Cillian Willis 21. Niall O’Connor 22. Timoci Nagusa
MUNSTER:15. Denis Hurley 14. Doug Howlett 13. Lifeimi Mafi 12. Jean De Villiers 11. Ian Dowling 10. Paul Warwick 9. Peter Stringer
1. Wian De Preez 2. Damien Varley 3. Tony Buckley 4. Donnacha Ryan 5. Mick O’Driscoll 6. Billy Holland 7. Niall Ronan 8. James Coughlan
Replacements:
16. Mike Sherry 17. Stephen Archer 18. Peter O’Mahony 19. Tommy O’Donnell 20. Duncan Williams 21. Scott Deasy 22. Tom Gleeson
REFEREE: Dudley Phillips (Leinster Branch)
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