Ulster's Second-Half Surge Secures Epic 26-All Draw with Munster
In a night of two starkly different halves, Ulster and Munster fought out a thrilling 26-all draw at Affidea Stadium, a result that keeps both provinces moving in the right direction as European action looms. The home side trailed 26-5 at the break, but a stirring comeback, capped by tries from Jacob Stockdale, David McCann, and Stuart McCloskey, earned them three points for the second consecutive week.
Munster arrived in Belfast forced into late reshuffles, with Shay McCarthy replacing Shane Daly on the wing, and Max Clein and debutant Michael Foy drafted onto the bench. Despite the disruption, the visitors looked sharp from the off. Alex Kendellen powered over from the back of a maul to open the scoring, and the province looked set for a comfortable evening.
Ulster hit back with a moment of individual brilliance. On the night of his 150th provincial cap, Jacob Stockdale produced a stunning solo try, fending off Ben O'Connor and dancing past JJ Hanrahan to level the tie at 5-5. But that was as good as it got for the home side in the opening period.
Marnus van der Merwe, the Springbok hooker, grabbed his first try in Munster colours from a rolling maul, before a yellow card for Ulster's Cormac Izuchukwu proved pivotal. The Ireland forward was sent to the bin for a clearout on Gavin Coombes that referee Craig Evans deemed 'shoulder to the head'. Munster capitalised immediately, with Dan Kelly crossing after a patient build-up, and Kendellen grabbing his second on the stroke of half-time to give the visitors a commanding 21-point lead.
How Did Ulster Turn the Game Around?
The second half was a different contest entirely. Ulster, with their pride on the line, began to find rhythm. In the 53rd minute, some slick offloading opened up Munster, and after Robert Baloucoune burst through the seam, Stockdale was on hand to score his second of the night.
The crucial score came from a set-piece. A pinpoint kick from Jamie Benson pinned Munster onto their own five-metre line, and a crooked throw from Max Clein gave Ulster a scrum. With two substitute front rows packing down, the home side locked out and David McCann powered over to reduce the gap to seven points.
Munster had a chance to steady themselves, but Charlie O'Shea's long-range penalty attempt was scuppered when the ball fell off the tee. The pressure told. Ulster won a scrum penalty, Tadhg Beirne was penalised for a maul infringement, and from the resulting field position, Stuart McCloskey crashed over. Jack Murphy's conversion levelled the scores.
Could Either Side Have Won It at the Death?
The final minutes were frantic. Munster earned a scrum penalty and looked to snatch the win, but Ulster stole the lineout and raced clear. Robert Baloucoune saw open country ahead, yet John Hodnett's desperate tackle and Alex Nankivell's interception, with the Kiwi hacking the ball dead, sealed the draw.
The result sees both sides edge up the table, a useful boost ahead of the start of European competition next weekend. For Ulster, the resilience shown in that second half will be a source of genuine belief. For Munster, the bonus point and the early dominance offer positives, but the manner of the collapse will give them pause for thought.
'It was a tale of two halves, but the character we showed to fight back says a lot about this group.'
Ulster and Munster Team News and Scorers
Scorers:
Ulster: Tries: Jacob Stockdale (2), David McCann, Stuart McCloskey. Conversions: Jack Murphy (3).
Munster: Tries: Alex Kendellen (2), Marnus van der Merwe, Dan Kelly. Conversions: JJ Hanrahan (3).
Ulster: Ethan McIlroy; Robert Baloucoune, Jamie Benson, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Eric O'Sullivan, Tom Stewart (capt), Keynan Knox; Ben Donnell, Eli Snyman; Cormac Izuchukwu, Nick Timoney, Juarno Augustus.
Replacements: Henry Walker (for Stewart, 79), Tom O'Toole (for O'Sullivan, 40), Tom McAllister (for Knox, 40), James McNabney (for Augustus, 40), David McCann (for Snyman, 17), Matthew Devine (for Doak, 49), Jake Flannery, Chay Mullins.
Munster: Ben O'Connor; Shay McCarthy, Alex Nankivell, Dan Kelly, Seán O'Brien; JJ Hanrahan, Craig Casey; Jeremy Loughman, Marnus van der Merwe, Kieran Brookes; Evan O'Connell, Tadhg Beirne (capt); Jack O'Donoghue, Alex Kendellen, Gavin Coombes.
Replacements: Max Clein (for van der Merwe, 65), Josh Wycherley (for Loughman, 65), Jack Aungier (for Brookes, 49), Michael Foy (for O'Connell, 61), Brian Gleeson (for Coombes, 49), Ben O'Donovan (for Casey, 72), Charlie O'Shea (for Hanrahan, 69), John Hodnett (for Kendellen, 53).