Nine-try Ulster back on top

Celtic League/ Ulster 63 Border Reivers 17: Ulster turned up the heat in the race for the Celtic League title with a nine-try rout of Reivers at Ravenhill last night.

It was the eighth league victory on the bounce for Mark McCall's side and they signed off their home campaign with a display that suggests they can go the distance.

The win takes Ulster a point clear of Leinster, who have played the same number of games and face a tough trip to third-placed Cardiff tomorrow.

What will have most pleased McCall is the ruthless and precise way his side approached their task.

The bonus point was secured as early as the 18th minute after Andrew Maxwell, Andrew Trimble, Stephen Ferris and Tommy Bowe raced over for touchdowns as the Borders were blown away.

The only fly in the ointment was a devastating blow for Ulster stalwart Jonny Bell, who suffered a suspected broken wrist on his last appearance at Ravenhill - he retires at the end of the season.

Bell had to retire in the eighth minute, and the only plus point was a dazzling display by his replacement Paddy Wallace, who after a hugely frustrating season stepped up to the mark at inside centre and formed a deadly partnership with Trimble.

Wallace's speed and creativity set up two first-half touchdowns for Trimble and he went over for a try himself in the second half, latching on to a chip-ahead by another Ulster veteran Tyrone Howe, who won his 100th cap for his province from the bench in what was also a last appearance at Ravenhill.

With Ireland's touring squads to be announced next week, scrumhalf Isaac Boss also made a compelling case for inclusion in the senior party with his finest display since his move from the Wellington Hurricanes last October.

Ulster's breakneck opening gave the home side complete control.

The Borders struck first blood via a Calum MacRae penalty in the second minute but David Humphreys responded in kind two minutes later after a strong drive by Matt McCullough.

The floodgates opened soon after. A superb try by Maxwell in the eighth minute after a sharp break by Boss and clever link play by Humphreys gave Ulster the lead.

After Bell retired, Wallace showed his class by delivering a superbly timed pass to Trimble, who raced under the posts for Ulster's second try.

Ferris raced over for try number three in the 15th minute and the bonus point was secured three minutes later as Bowe sprinted in from 40 metres. Humphreys was on target with three of the four conversions.

The Borders regrouped briefly with tries by Stuart Moffatt and Simon Danielli but would not score again as Ulster raised their tempo.

Wallace again turned creator with a delightful inside pass to Trimble, whose pace took him over for Ulster's fifth try in the 34th minute. And Bowe latched on to a clever chip by Boss for his second try in the 46th minute.

Wallace gathered Howe's deft chip in the 62nd minute for Ulster's seventh before Maxwell and Roger Wilson dotted down to complete a hugely impressive victory.

SCORING SEQUENCE: 2 mins: C MacRae pen, 0-3; 4: D Humphreys pen, 3-3; 8: A Maxwell try, Humphreys con, 10-3; 12: A Trimble try, Humphreys con, 17-3; 15: S Ferris try, 22-3; 18: T Bowe try, Humphreys con, 29-3; 27: S Moffatt try, MacRae con, 29-10; 30: S Danielli try, MacRae con, 29-17; 34: Trimble try, Humphreys con, 36-17; 42: Humphreys pen, 39-17; 46: Bowe try, 44-17; 62: P Wallace try, 49-17; 67: Maxwell try, Humphreys con, 56-17; 77: R Wilson try, Humphreys con, 63-17.

ULSTER: B Cunningham; T Bowe, A Trimble, J Bell, A Maxwell; D Humphreys, I Boss; B Young, R Best, S Best (capt); J Harrison, M McCullough; N Best, S Ferris, R Wilson. Replacements: P Wallace for Bell (8 mins), T Howe for Cunningham (49 mins), N McMillan for Ferris (52 mins), K Campbell for Boss (58 mins), J Fitzpatrick for Young, P Shields for R Best (both 63 mins), R Caldwell for McCullough (67 mins) Sinbin: J Harrison (69 mins).

BORDER REIVERS: S Moffat; S Danielli, B MacDougall, C MacRae, N Walker; G Townsend, B McKerchar; P Thomson (capt), S Scott, B Douglas; S MacLeod, O Palepoi; K Brown, A Miller, S Sititi. Replacements: B Rennie for Danielli, S Crombie for Scott (both 48 mins), C Hore for Townsend, T McGee for Thomson (both 61 mins), J Weston for McKerchar, C Stewart for Palepoi (both 71mins).

Referee: J Jones (Wales).