Olding On The Scoresheet In Ulster ‘A’ Defeat

Ulster ‘A’ finished their British & Irish Cup campaign with a 47-13 defeat to a classy Bristol side who produced a powerful second half performance at Ashton Gate tonight.

The home side scored six tries as Charlie Amesbury, Matthew Morgan, Jamal Ford-Robinson, Max Crumpton, Ross McMillan and Ben Glynn all crossed the whitewash, with Lorcan Dow and fit-again centre Stuart Olding touching down for Alex Codling's men.

Morgan's penalty goal nudged Bristol ahead inside five minutes, but it was Ulster 'A' who scored the first try of the evening soon after. Hughes Insurance Academy number 8 Dow rumbled over from close range, although out-half Johnny McPhillips saw his conversion attempt fade wide.

McPhillips and Morgan traded long range three pointers before Amesbury cantered over to put Bristol back in front at 11-8 on the half hour mark.

The lead lasted a matter of minutes as Ulster 'A' captain Olding spotted a gap and accelerated in from 25 metres out. The match marked a welcome return for the Ireland-capped midfielder, who has not played competitive rugby since March of last year.

Joe Joyce was inches away from his first Bristol try following Ryan Edwards' superb solo break, while Craig Hampson also came agonisingly close to touching down.

But the hosts did go over before the interval as Morgan's audacious step saw the Welsh out-half cross for a converted try. After the break, Morgan slotted another three pointer in a prolific display to hand Bristol a 21-13 advantage.

Replacement Ford-Robinson put the home side in full control when the prop bulldozed his way through several defenders to dab down.

Now in full command, Bristol rounded off the round 6 encounter with two tries in quick succession as McMillan and Crumpton burrowed over. With time running out, Glynn galloped in from fifty metres to seal an impressive British & Irish Cup victory.

Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)