Sharks complete stirring fightback to dent Ulster’s URC play-off hopes

Jordan Hendrikse landed a last-gasp penalty to earn the Sharks a dramatic victory at Ulster as the South Africans battled back after trailing 19-0.

Ulster, who scored first-half tries by Jack Murphy, Jude Postlethwaite and Nathan Doak, were pointless after the half-hour mark as the Sharks gradually reeled them in to badly damage the 12th-placed Irish province’s play-off hopes.

After just six minutes, Ulster had their first try through Murphy. Jacob Stockdale raced through and Cormac Izuchukwu was the provider for Murphy. The fly-half missed the conversion as Ulster led 5-0.

Ulster then scored again, a ball hacked downfield by Doak was collected by Zac Ward and Postlethwaite ran in. This time Murphy converted for a 12-0 lead.

In the 31st minute, Ulster had their third try when Stockdale’s collected his own chip and though he could probably have made the line himself, he threw an inside pass to Nathan Doak to race over under the posts. Murphy added the two points and Ulster led 19-0.

The South Africans responded with a try by Makazole Mapimpi, which went unconverted by Hendrikse.

Stand-in full-back Stockdale was then sin binned in the 33rd minute, reducing Ulster to 14.

The half ended with Ulster leading 19-5, even though the Sharks worked Mapimpi over for a second time, but his effort was ruled out for a forward pass.

After 60 minutes and on penalty advantage, Manu Tshituka smashed through near the posts. Hendrikse converted to cut Ulster’s lead to seven points.

It was all Sharks now and in the 69th minute replacement centre Jurenzo Julius weaved through a tiring Ulster defence to dot down at the posts, allowing Hendrikse to convert and level at 19-19.

The hosts were unable to gain a foothold after this and after 77 minutes the inevitable happened when Hendrikse slotted the winning penalty, leaving Ulster with the scant consolation of a losing bonus point.