McComb strikes late as Ulster edge out Bayonne

Lock Neil McComb was the hero for Ulster as he raced over for a match-winning try three minutes from the end to give new coach Mark Anscombe a winning start.

It was no more than Ulster deserved as they came good in the second-half of a good workout for Ulster in their brief tour to the south of France.

The stifling heat — it was 27 degrees at the 8pm kick-off — certainly made it difficult for both teams and Bayonne got on top as the opening progressed with both sides opting to run the ball at all times.

Ulster turned down a few kicks at the posts in favour of going to touch but they were unable to pierce the home defence.

Eventually, Paddy Jackson opted for a kick at the posts after 15 minutes and he made no mistake to give Ulster the lead from 43 metres.

But Bayonne, still smarting after failing to score against neighbours and arch-rivals Biarritz last weekend, responded with a series of good drives and they finally crossed after 27 minutes when hooker David Roumieu barged over after several close range scrums.

They repeated the dose just before the break after Ulster tighthead Adam Macklin was binned as Ulster conceded a succession of penalties in front of their own posts and it was hooker Roumieu who again found the gap to cross and leave the French 12-3 in front at the break.

Ulster got on top after the restart and reduced the deficit when returning scrum-half Michael Heaney cut a great line to cross after 49 minutes, with Niall O’Connor adding the points.

O’Connor was off target with a penalty from inside halfway but then pushed Ulster in front with a 46 metre kick.

Cedric Garcia restored Bayonne’s lead but then McComb burst through three minutes from the end to seal victory for the Heineken Cup finalists.

Bayonne scorers: Tries: Roumieu (2) Cons: Potgieter Pens: Garcia

Ulster scorers: Tries: Heaney, McComb; Cons: O’Connor (2); Pens: Jackson, O’Connor.

BAYONNE: S Spedding; J Rokocoko, T Lacroix, M Ahotaeiloa, M O’Connor; J Potgieter, M Phillips; A Iguiniz, D Roumieu, N Tialata; D Senekal, A Boutaty; M Chisholm, J Puricelli, D Haare.

Replacements used: G Arganeve, P Lafond, W Desmaison, M Baget, C Garcia, M Ugalde, C Helmans, V Manukula, R Bayoud, R Linde, JJ Marmouyet, S Gerber, B Fuster, G Bernad.

ULSTER: P Nelson; C Gilroy, J Payne, C Farrell, C Cochrane; P Jackson, B McIlroy; C Black, N Annett, A Macklin; J Muller, N McComb; M McComish, S Doyle, R Diack.

Replacements used: R Herring, R Lutton, J Afoa, L Stevenson, A Birch, M Heaney, N O’Connor, M Allen, L Marshall, R Andrew.

Referee: R Poite (France).

Attendance: 8071