Celtic League: Ulster score seven tries against Bridgend

Ulster 46 Bridgend 14

Ulster effectively ended Bridgend’s chances of securing a place in the quarter-finals of the Celtic League when they outscored the Welshmen by seven tries to two at Ravenhill.

The home side were good value for their win, hooker Paul Shields giving them a dream start by scoring in the second minute after good work by Paddy Wallace and Neil Doke.

Flanker Neil McMillan increased Ulster’s lead in the sixth minute when Doke and Ward created an opening and he took full advantage.

David Humphreys converted and added a penalty as Ulster were unstoppable in the opening half hour.

Bridgend’s first attack however yielded a try for flanker Jamie Ringer but the Ulster defence will be disappointed that they failed to stop Gareth Thomas cutting through them.

Cerith Rees converted but any hopes of a Bridgend comeback were halted by a Humphreys try in the 35th minute.

For a period after the break there was stability and Bridgend matched their Irish hosts. But then midway through the second half Ulster centre Shane Stewart was put clear by James Topping and went over for a splendid touchdown.

There then followed a flurry of tries in the last 10 minutes with Ulster skipper Andy Ward scoring twice and Humphreys adding one.

Humphreys converted his own and Ward’s late try to give him a personal tally of 19 points.

Bridgend got a late consolation score through British Lion Dafydd James which was converted by visiting full-back Adrian Durston.