Ulster continued their quest for a home quarter-final in the United Rugby Championship with a 42-20 victory over Cardiff on Saturday night.
Nathan Doak was player of the game with one try and another 12 points with the boot.
Tom Stewart scored two tries himself along with Stewart Moore, Jacob Stockdale and Billy Burns.
It was another important win for Dan McFarland’s team, who are fourth in the VGK standings.
Saturday’s success secured back-to-back victories after beating the Sharks in Durban last week.
There is a two-week break in the VGK due to the Six Nations series, with Ulster’s next game against the Bulls on March 25 at the Kingspan Stadium.
Check out our updates from today’s game to see how it progresses.
key events
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It’s us!
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FT | Cardiff 20-42 Ulster
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HT | Cardiff 8-21 Ulster
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Welcome!
It’s us!
Thank you for participating in today’s blog.
Good win for Ulster who are still aiming for a top 2 finish in the VGK.
There is a two-week break due to the Six Nations series, with Ulster’s next home game against the Bulls on March 25.
FT | Cardiff 20-42 Ulster
Impressive wins over Cardiff, Arms Park and Ulster.
Nathan Doak led the way, hitting a try and scoring another 12 points with the boot.
Back-to-back wins for Dan McFarland’s men and another bonus point on the board after scoring six tries.
player of the game
Nathan Doak was named the official player of the game.
He scored 17 points that night, including a three.
Very impressive statistics.
ATTEMPT!! Cardiff 20-42 Ulster
Tom Stewart dived forward for his second try of the night after an impressive free kick in the 73rd minute.
And Nathan Doak adds the conversion again.
ATTEMPT!! Cardiff 20-35 Ulster
Cardiff hit back again in the 68th minute.
Ulster were on the attack but an intercepted pass sent Cardiff their way and the ball was eventually headed to Aled Summerhill, who showed quick pace to run out of defence.
And the conversion works.
ATTEMPT!! Cardiff 13-35 Ulster
And just like that, Cardiff find a gap on the right and Owen Lane dunks in the corner for his second try of the game.
The extras are missing.
ATTEMPT!! Cardiff 8-35 Ulster
Another try for Ulster in the 61st minute.
And it’s this guy Tom Stewart coming out of a mouth.
It is Stewart’s 10th try of the season. Some return.
And Doak is banking on the transformation from far away on the touchline. Brilliant kick.
ATTEMPT!! Cardiff 8-28 Ulster
Billy Burns works his way over the line to extend Ulster’s lead.
And that’s the bonus point try for the visitors.
And Doak adds the extras.
Ulster comes close again
They get within five meters of the Cardiff line but Marcus Rea can’t clear his dead.
He loses possession and Cardiff clear their lines.
Ulster failed
Brilliant play from Ulster stretching Cardiff’s defense with a break from Billy Burns.
He is held against the line and Cardiff hold on to earn the penalty.
Here we go again
The second half started in Cardiff.
HT | Cardiff 8-21 Ulster
We reach the break in Cardiff and Ulster lead.
The provinces dominated the first 40 minutes and eventually took the lead.
ATTEMPT!! Cardiff 8-21 Ulster
Nathan Doak burst through for a try in the 26th minute.
Nice high run from Toomaga-Allen who was stopped five meters out and Doak saw the gap and made no mistake with a pickup and ran over the line.
Doak adds the extras.
ATTEMPT!! Cardiff 8-14 Ulster
What reactions!
Ulster are back in front thanks to a performance from Jacob Stockdale.
Nice push and return from the wing, the ball fell nicely back into his hands and it thundered over the corner.
Nathan Doak brings in the conversion.
PUNISHMENT! Cardiff 8-7 Ulster
Cardiff take the lead through a Jarrod Evans penalty.
ATTEMPT!! Cardiff 5-7 Ulster
Cardiff hit back in the eighth minute.
The ball is thrown far Owen Lane to dive for the corner.
Jarrod Lane misses the extras so Ulster are still ahead.
ATTEMPT!! Cardiff 0-7 Ulster
What a start for Ulster.
Stewart Moore crosses for an early try at Cardiff Arms Park.
Nathan Doak adds the conversion.
START!
We’re going to Cardiff Arms Park!
Remember both teams
Cardiff: Ben Thomas; Owen Lane, Rey Lee-Lo, Max Llewellyn, Jason Harrys; Jarrod Evans, Lloyd Williams; Rhys Carre, Kristian Dacey, Dillon Lewis, Lopeti Timani, Seb Davies, Josh Turnbull (Captain), Ellis Jenkins, James Ratti.
Substitute: Liam Belcher, Corey Domachowski, Keiron Assiratti, Teddy Williams, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Ellis Bevan, Aled Summerhill, Matthew Morgan.
Ulster: Mike Lowry; Ben Moxham, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Jacob Stockdale; Billy Burns, Nathan Doak; Rory Sutherland, Rob Herring (Captain), Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Kieran Treadwell, Sam Carter, Dave McCann, Marcus Rea, Nick Timoney.
Substitute: Tom Stewart, Callum Reid, Gareth Milasinovich, Alan O’Connor, Harry Sheridan, John Cooney, Jude Postlethwaite, Ethan McIlroy.
Referee: Hollie Davidson (SRU)
Assistant Referees: Adam Jones and Simon Rees (WRU)
TMO: Dave Sutherland (SRU))
Here come the teams
Good vibes at Cardiff Arms Park as the two teams come out of the dressing rooms.
It won’t be long before it starts
band history
Ulster are third in the VGK rankings as they hope for a home quarter-final.
Cardiff are ninth with seven wins and seven losses from 14 games.
Ulster team news
betting odds
- Cardiff 9/5
- Ulster 4/9
- Draw 20/1
Odds from McLean bookmakers
last time out
Ulster produced a dominant seven-try display at the Kingspan Stadium late last season en route to a 48-12 victory.
Tries were scored that day by Rob Baloucoune who scored twice for James Hume, Stuart McCloskey, Nick Timoney, Aaron Sexton and Tom Stewart.
Is the game on TV?
The match will be streamed live on Viaplay Sports 1 and will start at 19:30. Viaplay Sports, formerly Premier Sports, costs £14.99 per month or £11.99 per month on a 12 month contract.
Viaplay Sports subscribers can also stream the game on the Viaplay Sports website.
Welcome!
Welcome to our live blog!
We bring you score updates from Ulster’s URC clash with Cardiff.
So stay with us.
Source: BelFastLive
Source: Bel Fast Live
