Ulster survive scare against bottom side Dragons

BBC News

22-03-2025

Dragons (24) 30Tries: Owen, Anderson, Williams Cons: Reed 2 Pens: Reed 3Ulster (14) 34Tries: Hume, Herring 2, Wilson, Andrew Con: Doak 3, Cooney Pens: Cooney 2
Ulster survived a huge scare against the Dragons to win 34-30 and keep their hopes of a top-eight finish in the United Rugby Championship alive. The Dragons, who have only one win to their name all season, pushed Ulster to the edge in Newport and it could have been a famous win if not for Scott Wilson's late solo try.The hosts held a 24-10 lead at half-time as Aneurin Owen, Huw Anderson and Rhodri Williams all crossed, while James Hume and Rob Herring responded for Ulster.Herring, who was also sent to the sin bin in the first half, grabbed his second try after the restart but the boot of Will Reed kept the Dragons in front.However, replacement prop Wilson stole the ball at a ruck in the Dragons 22 and powered over to score with nine minutes remaining, with John Cooney's late conversion and penalty securing the win.Richie Murphy's side move level on points with Benetton, who occupy the last play-off place in eight but several teams behind have a game in hand.
It was a disastrous start from Ulster, who conceded the first try of the game inside the opening minute. Ulster lost the ball in their own half, which allowed the Dragons to race into the 22. The ball was moved quickly to Owen, who was tackled short but his momentum brought him over the line. Reed landed the conversion to give the Welsh side the perfect start.However, from there Ulster put pressure on and, after Herring went close to touching down, James Hume stretched out to dot down under the posts and Nathan Doak converted.Herring was sent to the sin bin by referee Griffin Colby for contact on the head of Matthew Screech in the tackle, and Reed landed the penalty.The Dragons were almost in again when Rio Dyer was inches away from getting on the end of Reed's kick into the corner, but their dominance was rewarded in the 21st minute when Anderson crossed after the home pack laid the groundwork from the maul.In response, Jack Murphy made a superb break into the Dragons half and Joe Westwood was sent to the bin for an infringement Ulster at the ruck. The visitors immediately capitalised from a maul of their own as Herring, back on the pitch, crossed and Doak converted.Reed sent a penalty attempt wide, but the 14 men got more rewards moments later when Stewart Moore lost the ball in the tackle, Anderson beat O'Connor and McCloskey and popped the ball off to Williams and Reed converted.
Thrilling second half in Newport
Ulster responded well after the restart and Herring, perhaps lucky to be on the pitch after his earlier yellow was not referred to the bunker for review, crossed for his second try of the game. Doak converted, but just like in the first half, the Dragons had an immediate response as Reed landed his second penalty of the match. A big turning point came on the hour mark, when Ulster pressed the Dragons line and looked to have burrowed over for a try but some superb Dragons defence won the penalty turnover. That moment was only compounded when Reed kicked the Dragons nine points clear with a penalty, before replacement Cooney swiftly responded with a kick of his own.Reed had another opportunity to restore the nine-point margin but his kick came back off the post. That miss was punished as Wilson stole the ball at a ruck in the Dragons' 22, spun away from a tackle and showed tremendous power to cross, and Cooney converted to give Ulster the lead for the first time.John Andrews thought he had added a fifth try in the final minute but it was ruled out for obstruction, but play was brought back for a penalty and Cooney landed a simple kick to help Ulster over the line.Dragons: Huw Anderson, Rio Dyer, Joe Westwood, Aneurin Owen (capt), Ashton Hewitt, Will Reed, Rhodri Williams; Rodrigo Martinez, Elliot Dee, Chris Coleman, Matthew Screech, George Nott, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Harrison Keddie, Aaron Wainwright.Replacements: Brodie Coghlan, Dylan Kelleher-Griffiths, Paula Latu, Steve Cummins, Taine Basham, Dane Blacker, Josh Thomas, Jared Rosser.Ulster: Stewart Moore; Michael Lowry, James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Jack Murphy, Nathan Doak; Callum Reid, Rob Herring, Tom O'Toole; Alan O'Connor (capt), Matthew Dalton; David McCann, Nick Timoney, James McNabney.Replacements: Andrew, Crean, Wilson, Treadwell, Crothers, Cooney, Morgan, Ward.Referee: Griffin Colby (SARU)Assistant referees: Rhys Jones (WRU), Gwyn Morris (WRU)TMO: Morne Ferreira (SARU)