BRIS CLIP RAVENS' WINGS

An improved performance from Bristol, let down by some defensive lapses that let Ulster get closer than they should. Mitch Eadie continues to come on in leaps and bounds and Fa'osiliva well have to work hard to oust him. Another good performance from Luke Eaves that ought to (but probably won't) silence some of his critics and a fine opportunistic try from James Grindal. An entertaining game that failed to hit the heights and left some questions unanswered. 

Ulster kicked off the game, only to give away an early penalty that allowed Tristan Roberts to peg the visiting side back into their half.  Bristol strung together a nice series off passes along the backline but made little forward progress and the move was well covered and, inevitably the unfortunate Bryan Rennie ended up forced into touch.  Bristol kept up the initial pressure and a fine burst of speed from the dynamic Mitch Eadie took play well into the Ulster 22.  The No. 8 made the simplest of offloads out of the final defender’s tackle and the supporting James Merriman was in at the left-hand corner.  Roberts’ conversion effort was well off-target but Bristol held the early lead.

Not for too long though, when the Bristol defence failed to claim a hanging kick ahead and weak tackling allowed Wilson to romp over beneath the posts.  The conversion was a formality and Ulster led 5 – 7.  However, Ulster had obviously sneaked a look at the Bristol playbook and promptly gave away a cheap penalty to allow Roberts to kick Bristol back in front.  Roberts had another penalty chance when Ulster were penalised for a deliberate knock-on and his great kick sailed over for an 11 – 7 lead.  Ulster then launched a dangerous breakout when the Bristol defence got hopelessly out of alignment but last ditch tackling just held off the danger.  Just before half time Roberts settled Bristol’s nerves with another penalty goal to leave the score at 14 – 7.

Ulster started the second half in a far more direct and aggressive style than they played the first and were well rewarded when some neat passing released Cochrane who cut a nice line through more poor Bristol defending to score a well converted equalising try.   Bristol responded well with some good attacking play, let down by some poor passing.  Fortunately, as the move looked to have broken down, James Grindal looked up and saw the space behind the Ulster defence and chipped ahead,  outpaced the defence and crashed over.  Roberts made no mistake with the difficult conversion and it was 21 – 14.

The visitors were undaunted and a training ground move opened up the Bristol defence once more and Wilson had his second try, also beneath the posts, the conversion evened up the scores again.  Their good work was undone by poor discipline and Roberts was able to kick his side two scores in front.  The advantage looked insurmountable when the fly-half took on the defence himself, perhaps to his surprise, but made the ball available.  The support from the pack was good and a typically determined run from replacement Iain Grieve carried him over the line.  The conversion made it 34 – 21.

Bristol should have had the game sewn up at this point but creditably Ulster came right back at them in a high-paced last few minutes.  The Bristol defence looked vulnerable again with play taken up to the Bristol line.  Good work from the Ulster forwards saw Simpson driven over for a converted try that made the score a rather uncomfortable looking one of 34 – 28.  There was just time for Adrian Jarvis to make his first appearance of the season and clear the ball downfield, deciding correctly that it was best if Ulster had to attack from their own half.  They did their best, but Bristol held on for another cup victory.