Connacht keep great run going with battling draw against visitors Ulster

Date Published: {J}

Connacht 15

Ulster 15

Rob Murphy at the Sportsground

ULSTER are rarely caught napping when they come to Galway, they know the story better than most and prepare accordingly. On Saturday, they came expecting a battle it seems and went at it hammer and tongs.

One reckless in the air tackle, an outrageous torpedo style shoulder charge and some pretty heavy jostling at the breakdown judging by some bruised Connacht faces afterwards underlined Ulster’s approach. It’s all part of the game, Connacht are mixing it with the main pack now and they can expect more of the same if they maintain this form.

It was a game riddled with penalties. Connacht supporters often have a hard time believing that Alain Rolland is the same referee they see on the world stage winning plaudits. The 60th minute scrum penalty against Ronan Loughney and the ridiculous yellow card against Ray Ofisa in the first half are prime examples of why.

Yet despite the above descriptions, it was a game that was gripping and intensely entertaining from start to finish for a hugely encouraging crowd of 3,761. It wasn’t a dirty game either but those incidents demonstrated Ulster’s unsettled demeanor as it became apparent that they were in danger of dropping points.

The men from the north have bought big in the summer. Wannenburg, Pienaar and Muller have come in to join BJ Botha and Robbie Diack forming a Springbok core to their side. Only Wannenburg was sprung on Saturday though and they might regret that during reflection this week.

Connacht were primed like never before for an Ulster game. In the past they have ramped up the pressure from within for this fixture, but for once there was a healthy mix of underdog tagging and some genuine honest form coming into the contest.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.