Ulster put in a solid performance against Newport Gwent Dragons at a wet Rodney Parade, winning 20-13 to secure a semi final match away to Leinster.
With everything to play for in the final week of matches in the Magners League, Ulster only needed to secure one point in order to put them through into the knockout and possibly a home tie depending on if Leinster lost to Glasgow which would see Ulster finish second. The Newport Gwent Dragons on the other hand had nothing to play for other than pride but they would want to finish the season strongly.
For Ulster, Props Tom Court and Declan Fitzpatrick have returned to full fitness and will feature alongside skipper Rory Best in Front Row. Paddy McAllister and Jerry Cronin drop to the bench. Willie Faloon suffered a shoulder injury in training so Robbie Diach is promoted from the bench to play as number eight.
For Newport, Steffan Jones retains his place at full back after an excellent debut display last week against Cardiff Blues. Pat leach replaces centre Ashley Smith who is to be rested and Dan Way comes in for Ben Castle.
First Half
Although Ulster only needed a bonus point to qualify for the knockout stages they still hit the ground running from the off as a 5th minute penalty which was kicked over by Ian Humphreys saw them take an early lead. Ulster 3-0 Dragon's. Ulster continued their good start with flashes of good play throughout the team and their pressure told on Newport's defence as centre Nevin Spence, found the gap and powered into the corner to put the visitors further ahead on 10 minutes after good work from the line out. The touch judge further confirmed the try after it looked as if full back Steffan Jones had stopped the ball being grounded but the decision stood. Humphreys failed with the conversion attempt. Ulster 8- 0 Dragon's.
Ruan Pienaar kicking was keeping the home side penned into their own 22 and the loss of fly half Jason Tovey didn't help the Dragon's cause. However, the tide slowly started to turn in favour of the home side and the game became a good spectacle for the neutral as play was moving from end to end. Good attacking play by the Dragon's then earned themselves a penalty and substitute Matthew Jones took the opportunity to reduce the visitors lead to five points. Ulster 8- 3 Dragon's. Persistent attacks by the Ulster backs then proved rewarding as Spence again went over in the 21stminute after good movement and strength by full back Adam D'Arcy making Spence's job easy to increase the visitors lead. Humphreys missed his second conversion of the night. Ulster 13- 3 Dragon's. The home side then capitalised on a sloppy mistake by the visitors as Tovey, who had just come back into the game kicked over three points. Ulster 13- 6 Dragon's. Newport's score was then cancelled out as a rather fortuitous bounce from a sloppy line out by the visitors, then saw Pedrie Wannenburg drive over on half time to give Ulster a comfortable lead. Ulster 20- 6 Newport Gwent Dragon's.
Second Half
As the second half got underway, the rain started to fall and the game became end to end stuff. Pienaar's kicking was still doing damage to the Dragon's as they were unable to make much progress forward but it was the home side who looked more creative will the ball in hand and looking more likely to score a try. Newport were then rewarded for their maintained pressure as centre Tom Riley drove through to bring the Dragon's back into the game. Jones's conversion brought the gap to seven points. Ulster 20- 13 Dragon's.
With the rain continuously falling the game became strung with mistakes and errors from the two sides as none of the teams could grab the initiative. Throughout the second half, both sides missed opportunities with the boot to add to the core board as the game became a stalemate. Dan Tuohy added to Ulster's injury list as he was forced to leave the field of play after sustaining an injury which saw TJ Anderson replace him. The home side tried everything to break through the Ulster defence but they resiliently held out to win the game. Ulster 20- 13 Newport Gwent Dragons.
Full Time
An impressive first half display earned Ulster their lead at half time and they didn't look too threatened by Dragon attacks. Pienaar's kicking was key throughout the match as it constantly put the home side under pressure. Newport didn't look the same free flowing team that dismantled Cardiff Blues last week but they do look like a team that can threaten the top four places next season.
Man of the Match
Ruan Pienaar: His kicking throughout the game proved a brilliant weapon on the attack and defence.
Ulster
Tries: Spence (2), Wannenburg
Conversions: Humphreys
Penalties: Humphreys
Newport Gwent Dragon's
Tries: Riley
Conversions: Jones
Penalties: Jones, Tovey
Thoughts
Ulster have a very tough match up in the semi finals as they travel to Leinster who are in prime form after they demolished Glasgow 38-3 in their last match. So Ulster will need to be at their very best if they are going get to the final. Line outs were a key part of Ulster's success as two of their tries came from line outs. Will their injury hit list prove to be the deciding factor in the game.
Newport struggled against a stronger defence this time out and were not able to make the inroads they did before. The loss of Jason Tovey early on blunted their attacks. The home side will now prepare for next season.
