Connacht end Ulster's unbeaten run

Connacht 31 Ulster 20

Ulster surrendered their seven game Celtic competition winning run as seven successful kicks from full back Mark McHugh edged the western province back into League contention in third place.

Backed by a strong breeze, Michael Bradley’s home side took the lead on eight minutes with a 45-metre attempt from McHugh.

Ulster had dallied in opposition territory in the opening phases but out-half Adam Larkin’s drop goal attempt flashed wide, as did his penalty strike in the ninth minute.

The conditions were to play a vital part throughout this encounter as McHugh had the gall - and more importantly the breeze - to thump a 57-metre penalty over the Ulster posts to end the first quarter of an hour 6-0 in front.

The League leaders’ challenge was hampered with the sin-binning of flanker Neil Best on 28 minutes, following a tackle in the air on the advancing Elwood, as the Connacht veteran attempted to gather his up-and-under.

Elwood dutifully knocked over the ensuing close range penalty and another before Larkin opted to take Ulster’s first score five minutes later from a 12-metre penalty, closing the deficit to 12-3.

Territorially Ulster were in charge but poor decision-making saw them lose their try chances, as evidenced by their capitulation on the Connacht line in first-half injury time.

From a McHugh clearance, another Ulster infringement saw McHugh close the half with another rangy penalty from the Ulster 10-metre line.

Alan Solomons introduced Kiwi centre Paul Steinmetz into the mix at the break and it saw immediate effect with centre Ryan Constable rounded in under the home posts for Ulster’s first try after eight second half minutes, converted by Larkin.

A further penalty from McHugh gave Connacht an 18-10 lead shortly after the hour, punishing the visitors as skipper Andy Ward was yellow-carded by Welsh referee Phil Fear for deliberately handling on the ground.

A second Constable effort on 72 minutes however edged Ulster in front, with Larkin’s conversion adding to his 69th minute penalty, giving Ulster a 20-18 advantage.

The nerveless McHugh struck two late penalties and a breakaway try by wing Matt Mostyn settled the affair at the death.

CONNACHT: M McHugh; M Mostyn, D Yapp, T Allnutt (capt), C McPhillips; E Elwood, M Walls; R Hogan, B Jackman, A Clarke; M McCarthy, A Farley; M Swift, P Neville, J O'Sullivan.

Replacements: D Browne for Farley (49 mins)

ULSTER: B Cunningham; J Topping, R Constable, S Stewart, S Young; A Larkin, K Campbell; B Young, M Sexton, R Moore; M Mustchin, M McCullough; A Ward (capt), N Best, T McWhirter.

Replacements: R Frost for Mustchin (7 mins), P Steinmetz for Stewart (ht), P Shields for Sexton (54 mins)