| Stormers (20.23. |
| Tries: De Wet, Zas Cons: Libbok 2 Pens:Libbok 3 |
| Ulster (13) 20 |
| Tries:Moore and McCloskey Cons:Cooney 2 Pens: Cooney 2 |
Ulster lost to Stormers in South Africa after a controversial late try.
Stormers raced to a 14-0 lead due to early attempts by Paul de Wet, and Leolin Zas.
Marty Moore and Stuart McCloskey travelled to Ulster in order to bring hope to the Irish province during the Cape Town heat.
Ulster did not win a late victory when Callum Reid tried to score.
Ulster was angry at the decision. Captain Alan O’Connor claimed that Stormers flanker Hacjivah Daysimani, not Reid had knocked on the ball.
Stormers won a scrum after a lengthy TMO inspection. South Africa held on to their controversial win.
Leinster and Ulster are now level at the top of the United Rugby Championship standings. Leinster will travel to Connacht on Saturday night.
Stormers take early lead
Ulster had every reason to feel confident after their seven-match winning streak, but the hosts made it impossible for them to achieve that goal. De Wet scored in the third minute.
It was a Stormers trademark counter-attack, Zas charging into space, slipping the ball towards De Wet, who was on the ground at a blistering pace, and then touching down.
Stormers scored their second goal in five minutes when Manie Libok quickly moved the ball wide enough for Zas to cross in corner.
Stormers were dominant at the breakdown but Ulster got a much-needed reprieve when Moore scored in the 22nd minute. He forced himself over the line after Rob Herring’s defense had stopped Billy Burns and Billy Burns.
Stormers looked dangerous when they had the ball in their hands. Libbok converted two penalties but a few John Cooney kicks kept Ireland within reach at the break.
Frustration for Ulster
Ulster showed renewed determination upon the resumption, but was unable to convert a huge chance for a second attempt when captain O’Connor knocked on a Cooney pass after Herring and Jordi Murphy had driven the visitors towards the line.
Another Ulster chance was lost two minutes later when Stormers forced a turnover, after Seabelo Seatla, Stormers winger, kicked the ball in behind his own tryline.
Senatla was able then to escape punishment for a high-tackle on Michael Lowry. Stormers increased their lead to 10, with Stormers scoring a total of 10 points. Libbok scored a penalty to split the posts after Moore failed to return onside from a kick.
This could easily have stifled Ulster’s wind, but McCloskey gave life to the away side’s challenge by powering over the line. Cooney’s kick brought Dan McFarland’s men within three points.
Ulster continued to work hard, but failed to complete a promising move when McCloskey transferred to centre Luke Marshall. Marshall made his Ulster return more than a year after being out of action with injuries.
Marshall sent Ethan McIlroy in, and while Ulster was able to move the ball from left to right, Rob Lyttle was tackled, and he drove towards line.
Reid believed he had won the Ulster title when he pushed himself to the finish. However, the TMO ruled that Reid had lost the ball and Stormers held on for a hard-fought victory.
Stormers: Gelant, Senatla, Nel, Willemse, Zas, Libbok, De Wet; Kitshoff, Solomon, Malherbe, Smith, Orie, Fourie, Van Rhyn, Roos.
Replacements: Kotze, Harris, Fouche, Evans, Dayimani, Pokomela, Jantjies, Pretorius.
Ulster: Lowry, Gilroy, Moore, McCloskey, Lyttle, Burns, Cooney; O’Sullivan, Herring, Moore, O’Connor (capt), Treadwell, Jones, Rea, Vermeulen.
Replacements: Stewart, Reid, Milasinovich, Kearney, Murphy, Shanahan, Marshall, McIlroy.
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi
Assistant referees: Dylan November, Cwengile Jadezweni
TMO: Quinton Immelman