Andrew Hat-Trick Crowns Resounding Win For Ulster

John Andrew drove over for a hat-trick of tries as Ulster thumped Edinburgh 43-14 at BT Murrayfield to edge ahead of Leinster at the top of Conference A.

Dan McFarland’s in-form side made it eight Guinness PRO14 wins in a row, as second half scores from Jordi Murphy, John Cooney and hooker Andrew (2) put the result beyond any doubt.

In a repeat of September’s semi-final clash, two Jack Blain efforts either side of half-time had reduced Ulster’s lead to 19-14.

Jamie Farndale had a potential levelling try ruled out for offside, and Ulster responded in brilliant fashion with scrum half Cooney’s scintillating 66th-minute score a particular highlight.

The unbeaten visitors got off to an ideal start, some nice hands releasing Andrew along the right touchline and he passed back inside for the supporting Cooney who fed Moore to finish off his fourth try of the season.

Following Cooney’s conversion, the Ulster forwards took up the baton and closed out the first quarter with a 12-0 lead. Andrew came through a lineout maul to barge over near the right corner.

Marcell Coetzee was instrumental in forcing turnovers, allowing Ian Madigan, who has fond memories of his last visit to Murrayfield, to pin Edinburgh back inside their 22.

Madigan’s half-back partner Cooney was next over the try-line, profiting from an initial lineout drive and a strong carry by Moore. The scrum half picked from a close-in ruck to score and convert.

Stung into action at 19-0 down, the hosts pulled one back through full-back Blain after sustained Edinburgh pressure. Nathan Chamberlain was accurate with the conversion.

Richard Cockerill’s men got more of a foothold in the game at the beginning of the second half. Blain slipped through for his second try of the night, thanks to Eroni Sau’s one-handed offload out of a tackle.

Chamberlain converted again and the out-half nearly provided an unorthodox assist for a third try. Farndale thought he had scored after a Chamberlain penalty attempt bounced down off the post, but the winger was in front of his team-mate when the ball was kicked.

Ulster bounced back in the 59th minute when Ireland flanker Murphy bundled his way over from the back of a maul to bag the bonus point. Cooney nailed the conversion for a 26-14 lead.

The Ulstermen turned on the style a few minutes later, conjuring up one of the tries of the early season with their half-backs showcasing their distribution skills and pace.

Madigan’s classy dummy and offload out the back door sent captain Sam Carter thundering through from halfway. and Cooney, as ever, was there to take the final pass and scamper over from 30 metres out.

The Dubliner still had a good bit of work to do, but he backed his pace and stayed clear of the chasing Edinburgh half-backs to complete his brace. The subsequent conversion topped off Cooney’s handsome 18-point haul.

There was still time for Andrew to rack up his hat-trick during the final nine minutes. Another superb maul laid the platform for his 72nd-minute effort which went unconverted.

The Ballymena-born front rower added his third past the 80-minute mark, reaching over a pile of bodies to ground the ball after lively debutant Brad Roberts had been held up short.