The Lions started like a house on fire against Ulster and despite being pushed by Ulster until the end, the Lions scored three tries during the final ten minutes to secure a bonus-point 49-31 win.
The Lions started like a house on fire, and following strong carries by their forwards, SJ Kotze powered his way past the defence of Ulster to score underneath the sticks. Chris Smith converted for the extra two points to extend the Lions' lead to 07-00 after three minutes of play in the first half.
Three minutes later, Ulster exposed the Lions’ defence's lack of speed on the defence out wide when Robert Baloucoune cruised to an easy try. Nathan Doak converted to level the scores on 07-07.
Two minutes later, Eduan Keyter added his name to the scoresheet after the Lions recycled the ball with speed, opening up the space for Keyter. Chris Smith added the extra two points to extend the Lions' lead to 14-07.
Following eighteen minutes of play, James Hume controlled a perfectly placed box kick by Jack Murphy to score Ulster’s second try. Doak converted to level the score at 14-14.
With eight minutes to play, Chris Smith converted a penalty to regain the lead for the Lions. during the
Ulster stepped up the pace during the final ten minutes of play in the second half and set up camp in the Lions' twenty-two. Moving the ball to the outside, winger Robert Baloucoune scored a brilliant second try of the day to take the lead for the first time in the match. Ulster led 19-17 at the halftime break.
The Lions started like a house on fire, as in the first half, and following an attacking scrum, Ruan Venter bulldozed his way over Ulster’s tryline to retake the lead 24-19 following the conversion by Chris Smith.
Chris Smith made it five from five following his second penalty conversion with thirty-two minutes still to play in the second half.
Ulster replied two minutes later when Robert Baloucoune scored his hat-trick try in the corner to cut the Lions’ lead to 27-24.
With twenty minutes to play, Renzo du Plessis burst past several tackles to score the Lions’ fourth and bonus-point try. Chris Smith extended the Lions' lead to 34-24.
Ulster’s David McCann scored their fifth try off a lineout-maul. Doak converted to cut the Lions' lead to 34-31.
With ten minutes to play, Henco van Wyk and Conraad van Vuuren (2) extended the Lions' lead to 49-31, which was also the final score.
Teams:
Lions: 15 Quan Horn, 14 Eduan Keyter, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Angelo Davids, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Francke Horn (c), 7 Ruan Venter, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Franco Marais, 1 SJ Kotze. Replacements: 16 Morne Brandon, 17 RF Schoeman, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Darrien Landsberg, 20 Renzo du Plessis, 21 Layton Horn, 22 Gianni Lombard, 23 Kelly Mpeku.
Ulster: 15 Michael Lowry, 14 Robert Baloucoune, 13 James Hume, 12 Jude Postlethwaite, 11 Zac Ward, 10 Jack Murphy, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 Juarno Augustus, 7 Tom Stewart, 6 David McCann, 5 Joe Hopes, 4 Harry Sheridan, 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Rob Herring (captain), 1 Sam Crean. Replacements: 16 James McCormick, 17 Callum Reid, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Matthew Dalton, 20 Bryn Ward, 21 Conor McKee, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Werner Kok.
