Heineken Cup: Humphreys Helps Ulster To Vital Win

David Humphreys continued his impressive Heineken Cup scoring form as his “full house” of points saw Ulster 18-10 victors over Pool 6 leaders Stade Francais, on Saturday at Ravenhill.

Heineken Cup: Pool 6:
Ulster 18 Stade Francais 10, Ravenhill
Scorers: Ulster: Tries: Campbell, Humphreys; Con: Humphreys; Pen: Humphreys: Drop gl: Humphreys

Ireland’s record points scorer Humphreys put in another virtuoso performance as he scored a try, a conversion, a penalty and drop goal as Ulster kept their feint quarter final hopes alive.

The 33-year-old, who carried a toe injury into the game, scored 13 of Ulster’s points as they avenged last Saturday’s 30-10 loss at Stade.

A superb individual try from scrum-half Kieran Campbell saw Mark McCall’s side on their way late in the first half.

Two minutes in, they looked a long way off recording their third home win of the season. With Agustin Pichot immediately causing trouble around the fringes, Stade had Ulster on the back foot and had acres of space when Pichot fed David Skrela.

The Stade fly-half put in a kick behind the cover and full-back Juan-Martin Hernandez advanced easily to touch down. Skrela also converted.

Humphreys narrowed the score with a ninth minute penalty and then Skrela missed a 13th-minute effort when his attempt bounced out off the upright.

On the half hour, Mirco Bergamasco got on the end of a kick and chase for 50 metres but just failed to get the touchdown as the ball rolled dead.

Humphreys was short with a 50-metre penalty effort on 40 minutes before, out of nowhere, Ulster grabbed an injury-time try. Campbell ran a penalty and just kept going, beating three Stade defenders to slide over to the left of the posts.

Humphreys missed the conversion for an 8-7 half-time lead, but soon after the restart, Skrela drew Stade back in front with a well-taken drop goal.

On 62 minutes, Ulster struck for a decisive second try. The ball was recycled right, and Humphreys was put in space on the wing. He made the corner and then added a superb conversion to take it to 15-10 for the home side.

A third drop goal of the European campaign from Humphreys deservedly saw McCall’s charges to victory, moving the northerners five points behind second-placed Gloucester, and six back from pace setters Stade.

Ulster face two must-win games, when entertaining Gloucester at Ravenhill on January 8, while a week later, they travel to the winless Cardiff Blues.

ULSTER:

(15) Bryn Cunningham
(14) Scott Young
(13) Jonny Bell
(12) Kevin Maggs
(11) Tommy Bowe
(10) David Humphreys
(9) Kieran Campbell
(1) Ronan McCormack
(2) Paul Shields
(3) Rod Moore
(4) Gary Longwell
(5) Matt McCullough
(6) Campbell Feather (Capt)
(7) Neil Best
(8) Roger Wilson

Replacements used: Paul Steinmetz for S Young (26 mins), Rowan Frost for Longwell (79), Bryan Young for McCormack (81). Not used: Nigel Brady, Matt Mustchin, Neil Doak, Adam Larkin.