Galway kicking game ends in stalemate

Connacht 15 Ulster 15:Too many errors, indiscipline on both sides, yet some imperious place kicking were the hallmarks of tonight's Magners League draw between Connacht and Ulster at the Sportsground, the first provincial derby of the new season.

Both sides have started the new league campaign well and on tonight’s evidence there was too much at stake as the contest became a kick-fest and display of fine defending.

It meant Ian Keatley and Paddy Wallace – and later Niall O’Connor - played key roles as a dogged game finished 15 apiece with all points coming from the boot and precious little opportunity for either side to cross the whitewash.

Keatley's 74th-minute penalty gave Connacht a deserved share of the spoils in a tight. Keatley kicked five penalties for the hosts, while Wallace (four penalties) and replacement O'Connor booted Ulster's points.

Neither side had a prolonged period of dominance or a clear-cut try-scoring chance, with defences on top throughout.

There were some mouth-watering individual battles in the mix, including Ulster captain Rory Best up against Sean Cronin and league top scorer Keatley taking on the versatile Wallace.

Missed kicks to touch and turnovers prevented Ulster from profiting from some early possession, and a steal by Mike McComish close to the Connacht try line relieved the pressure after an Andrew Trimble run.

Ulster had to cope with the early injury-enforced loss of flanker Stephen Ferris, which would have caused concern for watching Ireland coach Declan Kidney.

The game's first turning point arrived in the 17th minute when Connacht flanker Ray Ofisa was harshly sin-binned for a trip on the advancing Trimble, and Wallace knocked over the penalty from the 10-metre line.

Connacht quickly got back on terms, with Keatley punishing Pedrie Wannenburg for going offside, and the numbers were levelled up when Ulster lost recent signing Paul Emerick to the sin-bin.

Connacht found some space on the left to unleash Carr who was floored by Emerick's shoulder charge as he chased his own chip. The United States international was shown an immediate yellow card and Keatley swung over the resulting penalty from a tight angle for 6-3.

Another kick through from Carr forced Paul Marshall to concede a five-metre scrum. Connacht launched a series of pick and goes, but a steal from Bryan Young relieved the pressure for the visitors.

Wallace squared things up with his second successful penalty, after Bernie Upton was pinged for a tackle infringement, and 6-6 is how it remained for the break, as both Keatley and Wallace missed late efforts on goal.

The addition of Springbok BJ Botha to the Ulster frontrow helped win an early penalty on the restart, which Wallace threaded through the uprights.

Connacht responded well, their forwards making headway to set up Keatley for his third penalty goal.

The final quarter was a real arm wrestle, Ulster looked to be getting on top in the scrum and a set piece infringement allowed Wallace to move his side back ahead at 12-9.

Wallace then sent Darren Cave darting through a midfield gap, but moments later Ulster's good approach work was spoiled by Trimble taking McComish out in the air as he gathered a high ball. Referee Alain Rolland reached for his yellow card and it was Connacht's turn to claw back territory.

Keatley showed two nice pieces of skill, the first a slashing break down the right and the second a well-struck penalty, to draw Connacht level again. Ulster manufactured two more penalties, with Carr the guilty party on both occasions. Replacement O'Connor landed the first from long range, but his second strike faded to the right.

It looked like Brian McLaughlin's men would hold on to register their fourth straight win of the campaign.

Keatley had other ideas, however, and his composed kick from the 10-metre line reeled Ulster back in for the final time, with the visitors' last opportunity a hurried drop goal attempt from O'Connor.

In the end McLaughlin was happy to leave Galway with two points.

“It was an exciting (derby) match, very tight with both sides giving nothing away,” said McLaughlin. “The score-line illustrated the nature of the game and a draw is a fair result. This is not easy place to come to and to come away with something is good.

“As for the injuries we’ll have to wait and see what the medics come up with regarding BJ Botha and Stephen Ferris. Rugby is now a very physical game and injuries happen."