Image source, InphoImage caption, Connacht are now unbeaten in their past four games
ByIssy ToddBBC Sport NI contributor- Published1 hour ago
Ulster (7) 19
Tries: Doak, Z Ward, Bell Cons: Doak, Murphy
Connacht (7) 26
Tries: Jansen, Bealham Treacy 2 Cons: Naughton 3
Connacht produced a powerful second-half display to secure a statement victory over Ulster in the United Rugby Championship (URC) at the Affidea Stadium.
The first half was frenetic and full of energy, with both sides struggling to get over the line, but the visitors pulled away in the final quarter of the match to secure a bonus-point win.
The result is Ulster's first defeat in Belfast this season as they aim to secure a top-four finish in the URC.
Richie Murphy's side will now look to bounce back against Zebre in Italy as Connacht face Ospreys.
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It was Stuart Lancaster's side who registered the first try of the match after Jack Carty's strong pace set Sean Jansen up to power over from a resulting penalty before the conversion was kicked successfully by Sean Naughton.
The hosts responded quickly with Bryn Ward, who was on as a head injury assessment [HIA] replacement for Marcus Rea, breaking contact and beating defenders to edge close to the try line.
The back rower offloaded to Nathan Doak, who finished well and converted his own try to level matters.
Just shy of half-time, Finlay Bealham was sent to the bin for direct shoulder to head contact on Tom Stewart and the teams went into the changing rooms at seven points apiece.
Murphy's men came out after the break initially applying pressure but a flurry of tries from Connacht in the final quarter gave them control.
Bealham crashed over from close range, before Dave Heffernan's offload sent Treacy over in the corner for Connacht's third try of the night to edge them in front.
Naughton added the first conversion, but the second drifted wide.
Ulster tried to respond with Zac Ward accelerating down the left wing and across the dotted line, but the conversion was missed.
The attempted comeback was not enough as Connacht continued their momentum and Finn Treacy fended off Jack Murphy and Zac Ward to get over for his second try of the night and the all-important bonus point.
Naughton slotted the conversion, stretching the lead to 12-26 with 10 minutes remaining.
A series of pick and goes from the Ulster men led to Angus Bell grounding the ball for Ulster's third try of the night. After a brief television match official [TMO] review, the try stood, and Murphy took the conversion quickly to make it a one-try game.
Then, with a minute left on the clock, Ulster won a penalty, but the ball went loose and Ben Murphy thumped it out.
Line-ups
Ulster: Lowry; Kok, Stockdale, Carson, Z Ward; Murphy, Doak; Bell, Stewart, Wilson; Henderson (capt), Hopes; McCann, Rea, Augustus.
Replacements: Herring, Crean, O'Toole, Dalton, B Ward, McKee, Scott, McIlroy.
Connacht: Naughton; Jennings, Forde, Aki, Treacy; Carty, Reilly; Bohan, Heffernan, Bealham; Joyce, D Murray; J Murphy, Prendergast (capt), Jansen.
Replacements: Victory, Dooley, Illo, Murray, Boyle, B Murphy, Ioane, Devine.
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)
Assistants: Max Weston (IRFU) and Sam Holt (IRFU)
TMO: Finlay Brown (SRU)
