Luke Marshall replaces Paddy Wallace who is with the Ireland squad, also away on international duty is Rory Best and Tom Court. Cardiff Blues are missing many players due to the Six Nations match between Wales and Italy.
First Half
Ulster made a fantastic start with young centre Nevin Spence crossing the line in the opening minute but the referee brought it back for an earlier infringement, Ulster soon made that up for the fans with Humphreys chipped the Cardiff defence got the ball and drew in the tacklers before offloading to the impressive Craig Gilroy who has been staking a game for a starting place in a full squad after impressing the past few months. He is a future star! Ian Humphreys converted. Ulster 7-0 Cardiff
Ian Humphreys then converted a penalty to make it Ulster 10-0 Cardiff, but then Cardiff Blues came back into the game with Sweeney and Fish playing each other in for Dan Fish to go between the posts and Sweeney added the conversion, the Cardiff boys were back in the game. Ulster 10-7 Cardiff
Not long before half time, Spence was making a pain of himself again whilst bolting through Cardiff players causing problems for the Cardiff defence, Ulster gained space and time from this with a series of phases and finally Ruan Pienaar crawled over the line from close range. Ian Humphreys converted the conversion Ulster 17- 7 Cardiff. Tim Barker was penalised at a ruck and Sweeney converted a penalty to make it Ulster 17 - 10 Cardiff
Second Half
Another powerful run from the Ulster men saw Humphreys created a chance for Trimble who raced passed Tom James and touched down in the right corner, the referee went to the television match official who gave the score and Humphreys just missed the conversion leaving the score at Ulster 22 “ 10 Cardiff
Sweeney again kicked another penalty to bring it to Ulster 22 “ 13 Cardiff after Declan Fitzpatrick was penalised at the scrum but Humphreys put 3 points back on the board with another penalty. Ulster 25-13 Cardiff. Paddy McAllister got sin binned for not rolling away from a tackle so Ulster had to maintain a solid defence for the 10 minutes and Cardiff couldn't force their way through the Ulster defence. Youngster Luke Marshall soon got onto the score board under the posts to get the Ulstermen a bonus point for their efforts and Humphreys converted who had a good night with the boot. Ulster 32-13 Cardiff.
Full Time
The Ulstermen showed why they are a threat to be recongnized and Cardiff showed that they were missing many internationals with a poor performance.
Man of the match “ Ian Humphreys, not just his kicking but his passing and reading of the game.
Ulster:
Tries “ Gilroy, Pienaar, Trimble, Marshall
Penalties “ Humphreys (2)
Conversions “ Humphreys (3)
Cardiff:
Tries “ Fish
Penalties “ Sweeney (2)
Conversions “ Sweeney
Thoughts:
Ulster is showing they have a mixed blend of youth and experience after running over the Cardiff Blues. Craig Gilroy scored another try which is enhancing his reputation and Luke Marshall has been touted as a future star and showed why with a solid performance with a try to go with the performance. Humphreys was outstanding setting up 2 tries and having a decent night with the boot.
