Ulster falls in Cape Town
The team lost 33-7 to the Stormers but held possession and territory advantages until the final minutes.
By Lucas Chen ·
Ulster returned to Belfast without a win in the United Rugby Championship after a 33-7 loss to the Stormers in Cape Town. The result leaves the team searching for its first victory in the current season. Coach Richie Murphy led a side that had nine key players away for Ireland’s Nations Championship campaign. Pundits estimated Ulster’s chance of winning at less than 10 percent before kickoff.
The match started with intense pressure from the home side. The Stormers controlled the scrum during the opening quarter. Ulster scored first at the 20-minute mark. Captain David McCann crossed the line after a quick tap. He also set up the previous phase by catching a wayward pass. Matthew Devine created a close chance five minutes later by exploding down the short side of a scrum.
The Stormers forced two maul penalties and Ulster’s tighthead prop Keynan Knox was sinbinned for a lineout infringement at the 30-minute mark. JD Schickerling leveled the score with a try at 33 minutes. Young Springbok flanker De Villiers added another try just before halftime to give the home side a 12-7 lead.
Evan Roos extended the lead to 19-7 six minutes into the second half. He ran in a solo try from 70 meters out. The contest became scrappy over the next 25 minutes with unforced errors from both sides. The Stormers sealed the win in the final 10 minutes. Captain Ruan Nel and Ahmed each scored tries in that period.
Ulster maintained better possession and territory statistics throughout the game. They held 56 percent possession and 55 percent territory. The team conceded 12 turnovers. Juarno Augustus provided physical impact at the breakdown, while Ethan McIlroy offered counter-attack speed from fullback.
The scoring sequence was as follows: McCann try and Murphy conversion at 20 minutes; Schickerling try and Ahmed conversion at 33 minutes; De Villiers try at 38 minutes; Roos try and Ahmed conversion at 46 minutes; Nel try and Ahmed conversion at 71 minutes; Ahmed try and conversion at 77 minutes.
Ulster’s next URC match is scheduled for December 5. The team will use the break to reset before the campaign continues.
Source: The Irish Times
