Doak Inspires Ulster Victory
Ulster got their challenge for Celtic League honours back on track with a thoroughly deserved 26-17 victory over Munster in Ravenhill while Leinster lost 23-18 to Borders
The inspirational figure in thie Ulster victory was scrum-half Neil Doak who scored all his side’s points, perhaps the crucial one coming in injury time of the opening half when he scored a sweet try which he converted himself to leave his side trailing by just a single point at half time.
Ulster took the lead with a Doak penalty just after the start but Jeremy Staunton equalised with a drop goal moments later and Munster took the lead with a 10th minute Mossie Lawlor try.
Staunton and Doak swopped penalties and then Jason Holland dropped a goal to push Munster 14-6 clear.
Again Doak and Staunton traded penalties before Doak had the final say with a beautiful snipe that yielded a try which he converted himself to leave his side just one point down at the break.(17-16).
Ulster cranked it up in the second half and in the 65th minute took the lead when Doak darted in at the corner and then aded the conversion from the touchline. He added a late penalty to deny Munster the consolation of even a bonus point.
In Galashiels, Kevin Utterson ran the first half show and scored all his side’s points (try, conversion and two penalties) to see the Borders lead 13-0 at the break.
Leinster produced a brave second half display that yielded tries for John McWeeney and Ben Gissing but the home side prevailed to earn their first victory of the campaign, (23-18).