Celtic League Round-Up

Friday night’s Celtic League action saw Ulster defeat the Borders 19-15, Munster
being outclassed by Cardiff and Leinster earning a 16-16 draw with the Neath
Swansea Ospreys.

Cardiff Blues cashed in on Munster’s Heineken Cup hangover with a record 60-14
hammering. The home side had managed to secure a vital bonus point before half
time following tries from Dan Baugh, Jamie Robinson and a hat-trick from Craig
Morgan. Munster managed two tries courtesy of Lions centre Henderson, but they
always looked second best and were trailing 34-14 when the half time whistle
sounded.

On the re-start the Blues piled on the pressure again and in no time they had
notched up another try courtesy of Tom Shanklin. When Donncha O’Callaghan returned
to the familiarity of the sin-bin for a second blatant offside, Munster seemed
to know it was all over. The Blues soon added three more tries through lock
Heino Senekal, Martyn Williams and Shanklin again to bring their total try tally
to nine by the end of a terrible evening for the Munster men.

Full Details at: www.munsterrugby.ie

Ulster managed a narrow 19-15 victory over the Borders to keep them in contention
for Celtic League glory on Friday evening. Ulster piled on the pressure in the
early stages of the encounter and it paid off when prop Simon Best went over
for the first try of the game. They added another three points from the boot
of David Humphreys minutes later before the Borders staged a comeback.

Semo Stiti went over for a well-worked try with help from captain Kevin Utterson
but Morton missed the conversion and an ensuing penalty to stop the home side’s
charge. Tanner Vili then took over kicking responsibilities and he managed a
penalty to leave the sides level on 8-8 at the break.

Both teams battled hard in the second half and it was Ulster who managed to
draw first blood through a David Humphreys drop goal and when Neil Best claimed
Ulster’s second try before Humphreys added another penalty, the Borders knew
it would take a lot to get back into contention.

They did manage a try through substitute Iain Fairley but his effort was too
little, too late and Ulster held on for an important win.

Full Details at: www.ulsterrugby.ie

Leinster have moved ahead of Munster on points difference in the Celtic League
table after a 16-16 draw with Neath Swansea Ospreys at Donnybrook. The first
half was a stop-start affair with the play failing to ignite, especially for
the Leinster men who had only managed three points from a Brian O’Meara penalty
by the interval.

Ospreys, for their part, looked more inspired and a Shane Williams try, created
by Dave Tiueti, as well as Gavin Henson’s conversion and penalty kick gave them
a 10-3 lead at the break.

Full Details at: www.leinsterrugby.ie