Clinical Ulster push Gloucester close
Despite going down 29-21 Ulster have every right to be proud of a much imrpoved performance where they illustrated a clinical edge that has not been seen to date this season.
Things looked ominous early on when Tindall broke a weak challenge from Grant Webb to surge into the '22 and offloading to Quera who scored beside the posts. Not to be overawed by an inauspicious start Ulster roared back into action and a scything fringe break by the much improved Boss saw him dash through the midfield before throwing a delightful 15 metres pass to Bowe who didn't break stride and scored in the corner. Wallace converted in what would prove to be a rare highlight in a disappointing day with the boot for him.
Ulster continued to climb into a Gloucester team that were clearly rattled by the oppositions response, Rory Best niggled his opposite number and McCullough could end up being cited for a stray elbow into Bortolami Gloucester then captitalised on a patient build-up with Alaidair Strokosh lumbering through two poorattempted tackles to score underneath the posts.
From the resutling kick-off the impressive McCrea was harshly binned for "tackling in the air". Undeterred by their disadvantage Ulster marched back up the field and won a penalty only for Wallace to miss from an easy angle.
At half time the score was 14-7 to Gloucester.
Ulster kicked off the second half, chasing well to put Gloucester on the back foot. Gloucester were becoming increasingly uneasy as Ulster hassled and harried them at every turn, especially putting Azam's lineout under severe pressure. Bowe retrieves a deep kick and puts a chip in behind the defence which he collects feeding to N.Best who offloaded neatly to Wallace who in turn had the ever present Trimble on hand to score underneath the posts.
Gloucester turn to the bench putting on Ryan Lamb for Chris Patterson who has had a disappointing
afternoon. Realising they need to up the tempo Azam taps a penalty and charges forwards. Quick
recycling saw the ball spread quickly across the backline only for Bowe to heroically cut "Volcano"
down early. With the pressure still firmly on Ulster the defence crubmles as Quera crosses for his
second try of the afternoon. Balshaw crossed shortly after to give an uneasy sense of forboding for
Ulster fans after what was a tremendously bright start on a rather bleak season.
Wheras this would have been a death knell at previous points in the season it only seemed to harden
Ulsters resolve. The introduction O'Connor and McMillan kept up the impetus with one of O'Connor's first
acts to put in as deft crossfield ball collected by McCrea who sucked in the defence before putting Bowe
away for a well deserved second which O'Connor converted.
The backrow of McCullough, McMillan and Best were to the fore with Best surging into the midfield, McMillan was on hand to charge on through another tackle and keep pressure on Gloucester. Gloucester show their class to make their way up the pitch with replacement Narraway taking the score, Lamb misses a sitter and Ulster are still in with a chance.
A sustained period of pressure in the gloucester '22 at the end results in nothing as Caldwell drops the ball
as he's over the line.
All in all hard to call it disappointing considering the performances witnessed this season but yet again one leaves with the sense of what might have been. Gloucester to be fair were good for their win but Ulster showed mettle.
The defensive system looked much improved although one on one tackles ultimately cost them dear.
In attack the stupid handling errors were eradicated which allowed attacking moves to flow and the team to build up sustained phases of attack.
Next up we have the Dragons at home in Matt Williams first match in charge and hopefully the recent improvement will continue and the boys can install a bit of pride back into Ulster Rugby.