As part of their regular season calendar, the Exiles play a series of games against provincial opposition in Ireland. Last weekend the Exiles travelled to Shaw’s Bridge to take on the Ulster U-19s.
The Exiles started strongly and had Ulster on the back foot right from the off. The first of many penalties committed by Ulster gave the Exiles U-19s their first points within two minutes after some sustained pressure.
The penalty was converted by Exiles out-half Oliver Clements. The Exiles continued to impress with their set piece dominating, but Ulster’s defence held firm and the Exiles had to rely on the boot of Clements.
The Exiles stretched their lead on the 25-minute mark with a further penalty and this was the last score before half-time, giving the visitors a 6-0 lead at the break.
In the second half, the Exiles continued as they had finished the first, with a penalty after some good forward interplay led by number 8 Sean O’Connell.
Ulster made up some ground by converting a penalty to make the score 9-3. The Exiles came back quickly from the kick-off, when the Ulster youngsters committed an instant penalty infringement on the ground. Clements converted to make it 12-3 in the Exiles’ favour.
As quickly as they gave away a penalty, Ulster pegged one back, as the Exiles made a mistake from the kick-off which helped reduce the score again to just six points.
Again the Exiles raised their game, putting Ulster under pressure and a further penalty for the Exiles allowed them to kick to the corner for a lineout near Ulster’s try-line.
The resulting maul gave them the platform for their backs to move the ball wide and Matthew Dever, who had proved to be a handful all day, scored in the corner. Replacement Exiles out-half Dan O’Brien converted for a 19-6 scoreline.
Some further substitutions by Ulster gave them new impetus as they pushed forward. With some good work from the home pack and excellent continuity from both backs and forwards, Ulster ran through some weak Exiles defence to score. The conversion reduced the score to six points once again.
The Exiles hit back quickly and another penalty offence by Ulster gave O’Brien a further penalty chance, which he duly converted to put the Exiles into a 22-13 lead.
Ulster were not finished and continued their push toward the Exiles line and again some slack defence let Ulster in again for a late try to set up an exciting finish.
Ulster pushed hard but some good defence helped the Exiles run out deserved 22-18 winners.
Overall, the Exiles proved too strong for Ulster with the front row of Ryan Jablonski, Callum O’Connell and Tom Margetson leading the way in the scrum and Greg Barrett dominating the loose battle.
Scrum half Keiran Marmion and brother Liam playing in the centre, alongside the in-form Matthew Dever, had plenty of quality ball to show their ability, leading to an all-round solid performance from the Exiles.
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