Ulster suffer defeat by Lions in URC encounter

Lions (15) 35

Tries: Maxwane, Horne, Marais, Van Wyk, Wolhuter Cons: Wolhuter 2 Pens: Wolhuter 2

Ulster (5) 22

Tries: Cooney, Morgan, Kok, Barrett Cons: Doak

Ulster suffered their first conclusion of nan caller United Rugby Championship play arsenic they salvaged a prize constituent from a 35-22 nonaccomplishment to nan Lions successful Johannesburg.

Tries from Rabz Maxwane and Francke Horn put nan hosts successful control, earlier John Cooney went complete to springiness Ulster dream arsenic they trailed 15-5 astatine nan break.

Franco Marais, Henco Van Wyk and Kade Wolhuter crossed successful nan 2nd half to unafraid a bonus-point victory, while Aidan Morgan, Werner Kok, connected his first commencement for nan province, and Corrie Barrett scored Ulster's second-half tries.

It was nan Lions' first crippled of nan URC run aft they mislaid nan Currie Cup last past week, while Ulster had begun their play pinch a last-gasp occurrence complete Glasgow.

The Irish broadside now recreation to Pretoria to look nan Bulls connected 5 October.

The Lions were ascendant successful some territory and possession for almost nan full first half and were rewarded for their superiority pinch 2 first-half tries.

After 10 minutes, from a Lions lineout, nan hosts sewage their maul rolling down nan correct flank, pinch hooker PJ Botha breaking away, earlier offloading to skipper Horne who made crushed down nan helping and group Maxwane free to title complete nan line.

Wolhuter missed nan conversion but divided nan posts pinch a punishment 5 minutes later aft Ulster had been penalised astatine nan breakdown.

Five minutes earlier nan interval flanker Horne rumbled complete to summation his side's lead aft nan location broadside again utilized nan rolling maul to bully effect pursuing a lineout, Wolhuter adding nan extras connected this occasion.

The Irish state yet began to show immoderate endeavor precocious successful nan first half arsenic Cooney crossed successful stoppage clip to trim his side's arrears, nan number 9 darting complete from nan backmost of a ruck.

Ulster's scrum-half passed up nan opportunity to trim their opponents' lead further arsenic he was off-target pinch his conversion effort from a kickable position.

Richie Murphy's broadside began nan 2nd half successful akin manner arsenic they vanished nan first pinch Kiwi fly-half Morgan crossing for his 2nd people successful arsenic galore games.

Ulster showed awesome handling and diligent build-up arsenic they went done nan phases and past nan execution was objective arsenic Morgan accepted a walk from half-back partner Cooney and dived complete betwixt 2 defenders.

The Lions responded powerfully but had a effort disallowed erstwhile referee Sam Grove-White adjudged that Rynhardt Jonker had been held up aft consultation pinch nan Television Match Official [TMO].

The South African broadside again utilized nan rolling maul arsenic an effective limb for their 3rd score, replacement hooker Marais dotting down to reconstruct their 10-point lead.

On nan 50th infinitesimal mark, nan Lions went complete unchallenged for their bonus-point try, substitute Van Wyk breaking clear to touch down aft full-back Quan Horn collected a precocious shot and made crushed done a number of missed Ulster tackles.

Wolhuter added nan further 2 points and kicked a further punishment to put 20 points betwixt nan sides.

Ulster fought backmost again arsenic Kok scored his first Ulster try, winning nan ft title pinch Wulhuter and utilizing his momentum to rotation complete nan statement for a people aft Nathan Doak had surgery down nan correct and executed a clever grubber kick.

The visitors ensured they would time off pinch a prize constituent erstwhile Barrett picked up and collapsed complete aft a play of pressure, Doak converting from successful beforehand of nan posts.

Wolhuter took his individual tally to 15 points pinch his side's 5th try, scoring successful nan area to return advantage of a tired Ulster broadside who were stretched arsenic they looked for different score.

Lions: Quan Horn; Rabz Maxwane, Erich Cronje, Rynhardt Jonker, Tapiwa Mafura; Kade Wolhuter, Sanele Nohamba; Morgan Naude, PJ Botha, Asenathi Ntlabakanye; Reinard Nothnagel, Darrien Landsberg; Jarod Cairns, Ruan Venter, Francke Horn (capt)

Replacements: Franco Marais, Juan Schoeman, Conraad van Vuuren, Ruben Schoeman, Siba Qoma, Renzo du Plessis, Nico Steyn, Henco van Wyk

Ulster: Ethan McIlroy; Werner Kok, Stewart Moore, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Aidan Morgan, John Cooney; Andrew Warwick, John Andrew, Tom O’Toole; Kieran Treadwell, Alan O’Connor (capt); Matty Rea, Sean Reffell, Nick Timoney.

Replacements: James McCormick, Eric O’Sullivan, Corrie Barrett, Iain Henderson, James McNabney, Nathan Doak, Mike Lowry, David McCann.