Ulster beat Exeter to reach Challenge Cup final

TL;DR

Ulster defeated Exeter Chiefs 29-12 in Belfast, scoring three second-half tries to secure their place in the Challenge Cup final.

Key points

Ulster scored three second-half tries
Ulster defeated Exeter Chiefs 29-12
Match took place in Belfast
Doak converted three tries
Ulster advances to Challenge Cup final

Mentioned in this story

Belfast

UlsterExeter ChiefsChallenge Cup

Ulster scored three second-half tries to power past Exeter Chiefs in Belfast [Getty Images]

Ulster (10) 29

Tries: Augustus, Murphy, McCann, Stewart Cons: Doak 3 Pen: Doak

Exeter Chiefs (7) 12

Try: Vintcent, Ridl Con: Skinner

Ulster are one game away from a first trophy in 20 years after a 29-12 win over Exeter Chiefs in the Challenge Cup semi-final in Belfast.

In a tight and tense first half, where both sides left points on the table, Juarno Augustus' try broke the deadlock but Exeter hit back through Ross Vintcent.

Despite being reduced to 14 men after Jacob Stockdale was sent the sin bin for a high tackle, Ulster led by three points at the break through Nathan Doak's penalty with the final kick of the half.

Tries from Jack Murphy and David McCann extended Ulster's lead, and Tom Stewart's score off the back of a rolling maul put Ulster on the brink of the final.

Campbell Ridl's try with the clock in the red was a mere consolation, as Ulster were left to celebrate at full-time.

Ulster's last silverware came with the Celtic League in 2006 and Richie Murphy's youthful side will face either Montpellier or Dragons, who play in the second semi-final on Sunday, in Bilbao on 22 May.

For Exeter, their European hopes come to an end and the attentions of Rob Baxter's side will now turn to their remaining Prem Rugby fixtures, starting with Bath on 10 May.

Ulster edge tight first half

In a sun-kissed Belfast, a huge contrast to the wind and rain that had impacted both Ulster's last-16 and quarter-final wins, the opening stages of the game brought plenty of intensity but it was littered with handling errors from both sides.

Doak, usually so reliable from the tee, missed a penalty from just outside the 22 in the 10th minute but Ulster thought they had made the breakthrough their early pressure deserved when Michael Lowry scampered over, but it was ruled out for a neck roll from Cormac Izuchukwu earlier in the play.

Similar to Doak, Exeter missed a big chance to get on the board when Harvey Skinner sent a penalty wide but Ulster soon got the first try of the game in the 26th minute.