For the URC, Cardiff slipped past Ulster with an impressive 21-19 win, marking an incredible comeback from a substantial 19-0 deficit. Ulster had a secure advantage early on, with both Jude Postlethwaite and Cormac Izuchukwu contributing tries towards the point lead. It appeared likely they were headed towards a substantial triumph complimented with a try bonus.
However, Cardiff’s powerful scrum and maul positioned them to rebound, gaining an impressive 21 points without response from Ulster. The shortage of skipper Iain Henderson due to a supposed rib problem contributed towards Ulster’s struggle.
Although Ulster’s scrum seemed shaky at the onset, it became merely a footnote to the impending turn of events. A penalty kick taken to Cardiff’s 22 resulted in the first point addition for the visitors, who resiliently pushed to the goal line. Despite Cardiff being one man down due to Evan Lloyd’s suspension, Ulster persistently breached the home team, scoring with Cormac Izuchukwu.
Nathan Doak enthusiastically added the conversion, and later repeated his trick following the movement that culminated with Jude Postlethwaite breaking the line. Ulster maintained their relentless pursuit with a third try after 23 minutes, which involved an impressive right-left movement initiated by Werner Kok. Postlethwaite’s successful run was enabled by Stuart McCloskey’s calculated chip. Doak missed the conversion; still, Ulster held a decisive 19-0 lead after the first quarter, one score short of the coveted try bonus.
However, the exit of Henderson shortly thereafter, replaced by Harry Sheridan, cast a shadow of concern not only over Ulster’s prospects for the game but also the skipper’s availability for the upcoming Autumn Tests.
Signs of a comeback were seen from the hosts, particularly through Iwan Stephens’ near breakaway from his 22 and Cameron Winnett’s almost successful pass to Mason Grady near the open Ulster line.
In spite of Grady’s unsuccessful attempt following an unpredictable bounce, Ulster, despite facing scrum pressure, secured a needed penalty due to David McCann’s carry, subsequently managing to run down the game clock and preserve their 19-point advantage during half-time.
In response, Cardiff launched their comeback effort immediately, gaining momentum and capitalising on David McCann’s sin-bin penalty for an offside infringement. The Welsh side opted for a corner strategy, advancing through mauling and swift ball movements from right to left, resulting in a magnificent score by Stephens at the corner. Calum Sheedy followed this up neatly with a superior conversion.
McCann’s return saw Sheridan barely fail to score just in the 60th minute, a missed opportunity that Ulster would later lament. Dai Hughes shrunk Ulster’s lead soon after when he broke free from a maul, with Sheedy once again reliably converting the score after the 64-minute mark. Given the momentum entirely on the home side’s favour, it was inevitable when Cardiff’s maul led to Thomas Young’s third try, thus levelling the scores.
Sheedy managed the vital double points, placing Cardiff astonishingly in the lead. The visibly exhausted Ulster team had a chance to claim victory with a 55-metre penalty at the 74th minute from Doak, but the kick just fell short and Cardiff successfully saw out the remainder of the game.
Cardiff’s scoring honours came from Stephens, Hughes, and T Young, with Sheedy successfully converting three times. Ulster’s scoring came from tries by Izuchukwu and Postlethwaite, with Doak converting twice. Cardiff’s players included C Winnett, M Grady, R Lee-Lo, B Thomas (captain), I Stephens, C Sheedy, among others, with E Lloyd receiving a yellow card in the 12th minute.
Ulster’s line-up included E McIlroy, W Kok, J Postlethwaite, S McCloskey, M Lowry, A Morgan, N Doak, E O’Sullivan, J McCormick, T O’Toole, I Henderson (who captained the team), K Treadwell, C Izuchukwu, N Timoney, and D McCann. However, during the course of the game multiple substitutions were made including J Andrew stepping in for McCormick at 78 minutes, A Warwick being swapped for O’Sullivan on the 59th minute, and S Wilson replacing O’Toole at 52 minutes. H Sheridan stepped in for Henderson at the 24th minute but was later replaced by Marcus Rea at 70 minutes. J Cooney filled in for Morgan at 69 minutes, B Carson replaced McCloskey at 66 minutes, and B Moxham later also stepped in. In an unfortunate turn of events, McCann received a yellow card at the 47th minute. The game was refereed by S Grove-White from the SRU.