Second-half surge earns Edinburgh a statement win at Ulster

An impressive second-half performance from Edinburgh brought them a thoroughly deserved 27-24 URC win over Ulster at the Kingspan Stadium – their first in Belfast since 2018.

Strong showings from skipper Jamie Ritchie and Ben Healy, the Edinburgh fly-half kicking 12 points, were pivotal for the visitors whose tries were scored by skipper Ben Vellacott, Pierre Schoeman and Robin Hislop.

Ulster managed to take two points from their second successive loss to Scottish opposition thanks to James Hume’s injury-time try. Tom Stewart earlier scored two tries, with Robert Baloucoune also touching down.

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The hosts opened the scoring after five minutes when Stewart smashed over and through Vellacott after peeling off a maul. John Cooney converted for 7-0.

Ulster came close to increasing their lead five minutes later after Baloucoune’s take of a high ball, but Nick Timoney was felled by Wes Goosen close to the line ahead of Ritchie’s breakdown steal.

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Pierre Schoeman scores a vital try for the visitors in Belfast @EdinburghRugby ?#BKTURC #URC | #ULSvEDI pic.twitter.com/b3C2Ci6UPC

— BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) December 2, 2023

Then, following a scrum penalty against Ulster, Healy landed a long-range penalty to cut the lead to four points. On 24 minutes, Edinburgh launched a dynamic attack off a penalty which resulted in skipper Vellacott reaching over the Ulster line after good approach work by Schoeman and Jamie Hodgson. Healy converted and the Scots now led 10-7.

Ulster hit back but the half ended with Edinburgh securing a penalty following a lineout turnover. Healy slotted the straightforward chance from the tee to put the visitors back in front at the break by 13-12.

Hume then got over the line after a huge amount of Ulster pressure, but the score was ruled out after Baloucoune was adjudged to have juggled the ball forward.

After absorbing a huge period of Ulster pressure, Edinburgh lifted the siege and when visiting the home team’s 22, Schoeman drove over from close range after some close-in drives. Healy converted and Edinburgh now led 20-12.

Their lead could have been increased when James Lang got over in the corner only for the score to be ruled out due to a foot in touch.

But the visitors came again and after a sweeping move up the middle with the ball spread left and right, replacement Hislop surged over, again from close range. Healy converted and Edinburgh now led 27-12.

Ulster had to respond and did so with just seven minutes left when Stewart put Baloucoune over, but Doak was unable to convert.

They were then reduced to 14 when Ben Moxham was stretchered off – there were no subs left to bring on – but Edinburgh also went down a man when Harry Patterson was shown yellow in the 77th minute.

Hume struck with the last play to earn Ulster two points – a try bonus and narrow defeat – the final act being Doak’s conversion.

• Click here for all the RugbyPass stats from the Ulster versus Edinburgh URC game