Harlequins have last laugh against Ulster

Ulster 19 NEC Harlequins 26

Former international centre Mark McCall's opening match as Ulster head coach ended in defeat as an injury time try from back row Luke Sherriff saw NEC Harlequins take the Bank of Ireland Challenge trophy in a 26-19 victory at Ravenhill.

Both Neil Best and Andrew Maxwell touched down in the opening half to spur the home side to a 14-0 lead, with out-half Paddy Wallace converting.

Debutant Campbell Feather ran 50 metres to set up the ruck from which Best scampered over.

Wallace's grubber was seized upon on 11 minutes by Ireland Sevens star Maxwell for Ulster's second. 'Quins came back just four minutes later as Welsh prop Ceri Jones was planted over the home line.

Andy Dunne converted Steve So'oialo's 34th minute try to leave the visitors just two points behind at the break.

The visitors began the better in the second half and took advantage of poor defending out wide for Andy Reay to dash over, with former Munster full-back Jeremy Staunton adding the extras.

Six minutes later substitute Andy Ward levelled at 19-all but Sherriff had the final say, collecting his own neat kick to score to the right of the Ulster posts, with Staunton converting easily.

Scorers:

Ulster: Best, Maxwell, Ward; Cons: Wallace 2

Harlequins: C Jones, So'oialo, Reay, Sherriff; Cons: Staunton 2, Dunne