Ulster Mark Challenge Cup Bow With Eight-Try Win

A dominant 57-21 win over Harlequins at the Twickenham Stoop sent Ulster powering through to the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

In their first ever Challenge Cup game, Ulster established a 29-7 half-time lead as a young Harlequins outfit struggled to contain them.

The tries were supplied by Stuart McCloskey, Rob Herring, Sean Reidy and Michael Lowry, who romped over during captain Jordi Murphy’s sin-bin period.

Herring, Billy Burns, replacement Alby Mathewson and Reidy all touched down after the break, with the latter chosen as the star-of-the-match for another all-action display.

The result means Dan McFarland’s men are through to face another English club in the quarters, Northampton Saints, at Franklin’s Gardens next Saturday (kick-off 8pm).

Despite their inexperience, Harlequins looked confident and dangerous with ball in hand in the opening minutes, but an over-exuberant pass put their first opportunity into touch.

‘Quins then gave Ulster their exit from the 22 by bringing down the maul, and Ireland out-half Burns duly kicked to touch and out of danger for the men in red.

Ulster responded by showing their attacking prowess, Robert Baloucoune jinking through to put the visitors inches away from the try-line. McCloskey made no mistake in muscling over for a seventh-minute score.

John Cooney converted and also tagged on a penalty, punishing Elia Elia for being slow to reload in defence. Baloucoune was causing all sorts of problems out wide, as ‘Quins’ indiscipline continued to cost them.

Burns kicked for a five-metre lineout in the 21st minute, and his international colleague Herring popped over to score from the back of the resulting maul. Cooney converted for a 17-0 lead.

Just five minutes later, Ulster struck again with another power-packed maul, this time flanker Reidy seizing his chance to barrel over for the try. Cooney’s kick widened the gap to 24 points.

Nonetheless, with Murphy in the bin, the south-west Londoners soon responded through their captain Tom Lawday, and Brett Herron, who had a two-year spell at Ulster, added the conversion.

Lowry then replied in stunning fashion, picking out a box-kick from Scott Steele to go on a scorching solo run down the right wing with a clean pair of heels as he went in at the corner. The tricky conversion attempt just drifted wide.

29-7 to the good at the interval, Ulster had an opportunity early in the second half after the returning Murphy made the jackal to force a turnover penalty.

Burns set up a close-in lineout, but the visitors were penalised for closing the gap, giving Harlequins the chance to clear their lines.

It was not long, however, before Ulster’s fifth try of the night arrived, once again through the maul and Herring was able to claim his brace. Cooney drilled over the conversion.

Shortly afterwards, on the hour mark, Ulster pounced again in clinical style as Burns intercepted a ‘Quins pass to race clear for a try which Cooney converted.

Harlequins got their second score of this end-to-end tie on 64 minutes, through Jack Kenningham after a TMO review. Herron was successful with the conversion, leaving it 43-14.

Just moments later, James Hume set up Mathewson for his first European try for Ulster. Fellow replacement Ian Madigan took over the kicking duties and got the province to the 50-point mark.

Ulster were not done yet, and Reidy registered his try double – and his side’s eighth in all – when collecting a loose ball after it had come off James Lang’s hand.

The hosts had the final say with a consolation 77th-minute score, replacement prop Jordan Els powering over from a few metres out. Herron supplied the extras.