OUT-HALF YAQEEN AHMED scored 13 points as the Stormers claimed a 33-7 bonus-point win over Ulster in Cape Town on Saturday.
In a scrappy contest where the error-count was off the charts, the Stormers converted more of their attacking chances over the course of the game – and made Ulster pay for their poor discipline.
Ulster opened the scoring when captain Dave McCann crashed over in the 20th minute, and Jack Murphy slotted the conversion to extend the visitors’ lead to seven points.
Thereafter, Ulster failed to register a single point.
⚪ @UlsterRugby with the opening try in Cape Town!
David McCann the man to get over for the visitors 💪 https://t.co/fyXGIxirTO
Ulster created another chance moments later, and lost possession with the try line at their mercy. At the ensuing scrum, the Stormers held their nerve to win a penalty, thanks to Springbok props Ntuthuko Mchunu and Wilco Louw.
From there, the Stormers won several maul penalties in succession and effectively took play from one side of the field to the other.
The visitors eventually stopped the Stormers from scoring via a lineout maul, but lost Keynan Knox to the sin bin after the tighthead prop was carded for a cynical offence in the red zone.
Ulster finished the half poorly, while the Stormers made the most of their one-man advantage.
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A wayward kick provided the hosts with an attacking lineout deep in Ulster territory, and from there, the Stormers forwards held their passes to stretch the defence and send lock JD Schickerling over the line.
On the stroke of half-time, Murphy’s attempted clearance was charged down by Stormers flanker Paul de Villiers, who regathered the ball to complete the try and propel his team into a 12-7 lead.
Damian Willemse wins the ball. EJ Langner
EJ Langner
The momentum was with the hosts, and after the break, Ahmed swooped on a loose ball to find halfback partner Cobus Reinach, who in turn found Evan Roos.
The No 8 proceeded to race 70m upfield and finish a try that put the Stormers well and truly in control.
It wasn’t until the 71st minute that the Cape side scored the bonus-point try, though.
Ahmed – who won the World Rugby Junior World Championship with the Junior Springboks earlier this season, and will travel with the senior national side to Europe this November – found Ruhan Nel with a perfectly executed kick-pass, and the Stormers captain completed the score that sealed the win.
The result marks Ulster’s second loss on the tour to South Africa – following the 34-26 defeat to the Bulls in Pretoria last week – while they are yet to record a win in this season’s United Rugby Championship.
Stormers scorers:
Tries: JD Schickerling, Paul de Villiers, Evan Roos, Ruhan Nel, Yaqeen Ahmed
Conversions: Yaqeen Ahmed [4 from 5]
Ulster scorers:
Tries: Dave McCann
Conversions: Jack Murphy [1 from 1]
STORMERS: Damian Willemse, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel (captain), Markus Muller, Leolin Zas, Yaqeen Ahmed, Cobus Reinach; Ntuthuko Mchunu, Vernon Paulo, Wilco Louw, Adré Smith, JD Schickerling, Paul de Villiers, Louw Nel, Evan Roos.
ULSTER: Ethan McIlroy, Michael Lowry, James Hume, Ben Carson, Zac Ward, Jack Murphy, Matthew Devine; Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Keynan Knox, Ben Donnell, Eli Snyman, Cormac Izuchukwu, Dave McCann (captain), Juarno Augustus.
Replacements: Henry Walker, Tom McAllister, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Martin Moloney, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Chay Mullins.
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Stormers punish errant Ulster in scrappy Cape Town clash
Stormers 33
Ulster 7
OUT-HALF YAQEEN AHMED scored 13 points as the Stormers claimed a 33-7 bonus-point win over Ulster in Cape Town on Saturday.
In a scrappy contest where the error-count was off the charts, the Stormers converted more of their attacking chances over the course of the game – and made Ulster pay for their poor discipline.
Ulster opened the scoring when captain Dave McCann crashed over in the 20th minute, and Jack Murphy slotted the conversion to extend the visitors’ lead to seven points.
Thereafter, Ulster failed to register a single point.
Ulster created another chance moments later, and lost possession with the try line at their mercy. At the ensuing scrum, the Stormers held their nerve to win a penalty, thanks to Springbok props Ntuthuko Mchunu and Wilco Louw.
From there, the Stormers won several maul penalties in succession and effectively took play from one side of the field to the other.
The visitors eventually stopped the Stormers from scoring via a lineout maul, but lost Keynan Knox to the sin bin after the tighthead prop was carded for a cynical offence in the red zone.
Ulster finished the half poorly, while the Stormers made the most of their one-man advantage.
A wayward kick provided the hosts with an attacking lineout deep in Ulster territory, and from there, the Stormers forwards held their passes to stretch the defence and send lock JD Schickerling over the line.
On the stroke of half-time, Murphy’s attempted clearance was charged down by Stormers flanker Paul de Villiers, who regathered the ball to complete the try and propel his team into a 12-7 lead.
The momentum was with the hosts, and after the break, Ahmed swooped on a loose ball to find halfback partner Cobus Reinach, who in turn found Evan Roos.
The No 8 proceeded to race 70m upfield and finish a try that put the Stormers well and truly in control.
It wasn’t until the 71st minute that the Cape side scored the bonus-point try, though.
Ahmed – who won the World Rugby Junior World Championship with the Junior Springboks earlier this season, and will travel with the senior national side to Europe this November – found Ruhan Nel with a perfectly executed kick-pass, and the Stormers captain completed the score that sealed the win.
The result marks Ulster’s second loss on the tour to South Africa – following the 34-26 defeat to the Bulls in Pretoria last week – while they are yet to record a win in this season’s United Rugby Championship.
Stormers scorers:
Tries: JD Schickerling, Paul de Villiers, Evan Roos, Ruhan Nel, Yaqeen Ahmed
Conversions: Yaqeen Ahmed [4 from 5]
Ulster scorers:
Tries: Dave McCann
Conversions: Jack Murphy [1 from 1]
STORMERS: Damian Willemse, Seabelo Senatla, Ruhan Nel (captain), Markus Muller, Leolin Zas, Yaqeen Ahmed, Cobus Reinach; Ntuthuko Mchunu, Vernon Paulo, Wilco Louw, Adré Smith, JD Schickerling, Paul de Villiers, Louw Nel, Evan Roos.
Replacements: Altus Rabe, Vernon Matongo, Neethling Fouché, Riley Norton, Connor Evans, Wandile Mlaba, Haashim Pead, Wandisile Simelane.
ULSTER: Ethan McIlroy, Michael Lowry, James Hume, Ben Carson, Zac Ward, Jack Murphy, Matthew Devine; Eric O’Sullivan, Rob Herring, Keynan Knox, Ben Donnell, Eli Snyman, Cormac Izuchukwu, Dave McCann (captain), Juarno Augustus.
Replacements: Henry Walker, Tom McAllister, Scott Wilson, Harry Sheridan, Martin Moloney, Conor McKee, Jake Flannery, Chay Mullins.
Referee: Sam Grove-White (Scotland).
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Match Report Stormers Ulster URC