Ulster and Stormers share spoils in dramatic draw

Ulster (21) 38

Tries: Kok 3, Ward, Lowry, O’Sullivan Cons: Doak 4

Stormers (17) 38

Tries: Roos, Feinberg-Mngomezulu 2, Khan, penalty try Con: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 4 Pen: Feinberg-Mngomezulu

Ulster and Stormers produced an enthralling 38-38 draw in a United Rugby Championship game that featured 11 tries and a controversial ending at the Affidea Stadium.

It was a result with which neither side will be completely satisfied, but the three points for Ulster does strengthen their chances of making the top eight and the URC play-offs, although it will go down to the final game against Glasgow Warriors next week.

The Stormers, also with three points, missed the opportunity to go top of the table which would bring home advantage throughout the play-offs.

Ulster scored six tries with Werner Kok helping himself to a hat-trick and Zac Ward, Michael Lowry and Eric O’Sullivan also touching down.

It was the Stormers' fifth and final try that grabbed the headlines, however. With time up on the clock, it looked like Ulster’s Nathan Doak had won the game by tackling and holding up Stormers winger Leolin Zas as he looked to score.

But, upon further review, Doak was penalised for shoulder to head contact, received a yellow card, and a penalty try was awarded.

End-to-end action in the first half

Image caption,

Kok scored a hat-trick, including two similar tries in the first half

Ulster had spoken all week about focusing on the conclusion to the URC despite the euphoria of reaching the European Challenge Cup final, and they were true to their word in taking an early lead.

The visitors were the architects of their own downfall for the opening try of the game.

Pinned back in their own 22, Stormers conceded an unnecessary lineout and Ulster put the ball through the phases before giving Kok an easy finish in the corner.

However, straight from the kick-off, Stormers were back on level terms as they hammered holes in Ulster’s defence with flanker Evan Roos diving over from close range.

Iain Henderson was then yellow-carded for a croc-roll in the ruck and this was subsequently upgraded in the bunker to a 20-minute red card.

The news for Ulster did not get any better when Jack Murphy was forced off the pitch for assessment with what looked like a bad concussion.

He would later return, but not before Stormers took full advantage with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu breaking two would-be Ulster tacklers in midfield to score the second try for the league leaders.

The South African centre was enjoying his first half as he then added a penalty to increase their advantage.

Ulster have shown resilience in many games this season and it continued as sustained pressure on the Stormers' line resulted once again with a beautifully floated takeout pass from Doak to Kok for the winger's second score.

Ulster’s scrum-half was having an exceptional first half and set up his side's third try. From a lineout and maul Doak sent Ward over before converting to give the home side a 21-17 lead as a breathless first half came to an end.

Dramatic ending to a thrilling encounter

Image caption,

Doak was shown a yellow card for his late tackle on Zas

The second half continued at a similar frantic pace and Stormers had an early try in ruled out by the television match official (TMO) after Lowry was tackled in the air when fielding a high kick.

From the resulting penalty and lineout, the visitors failed to collect Murphy’s up and under, and when Ulster recovered and moved the ball swiftly to the right it was Lowry on the end of the attack.

Doak, however, blotted his copybook with a clock violation on the conversion.

The end-to-end action continued. It was Stormers who closed the gap to two points with a try from a sniping run from scrum-half Imad Khan that was converted once again by Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

As both benches emptied for reinforcements, the Ulster scrum began to leak free-kicks and it was from one of those that the Stormers retook the lead as the impressive Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored his second try and remained perfect with the boot.

Ulster down and out? Not a chance.

With 11 minutes remaining they tied the game at 31-31 when Kok completed his hat-trick, although Doak’s conversion narrowly missed the target.

Six minutes later, O’Sullivan bundled his way over. This time Doak was accurate with his kick and Ulster led by seven points and Stormers were down to 14 men.

That looked like it would be enough for Ulster to win the game and pretty much assure themselves of a play-off place.

But the drama wasn’t over. Doak’s tackle, initially cheered to the rafters, was penalised after review.

He was sent to the sin bin, with a penalty try awarded and the points shared after a thrilling tussle.

Line-ups

Ulster: Lowry; Kok, McIlroy, Postlethwaite; Z Ward; Murphy, Doak; Bell, McCormick, Wilson, Henderson (capt), Irvine, Izuchukwu; Timoney, Augustus.

Replacements: Stewart, O'Sullivan, McAllister, Sheridan, B Ward, McKee, Flannery, De Klerk.

Stormers: Gelant; Simelane, du Plessis, Willemse, Zas; Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Khan; Mchunu, Venter, Sandi, Smith, van Heerden, Fourie (capt), Dixon, Roos.

Replacements: de Villiers, Kebble, Porthen, Evans, Dayimani, Morabe, Ungerer, Matthee.

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)