HEINEKEN CUP/Bath 10 Ulster 28:EVENTS CONSPIRED against Ulster to end their European campaign despite their best showing in the Heineken Cup for eight years. It was the 2002/03 season the men from Ravenhill last won four of their six pool games, but even their first Heineken Cup victory in England and a wonder try by Andrew Trimble was not enough.
Ulster missed out on top spot in the pool by just a point after Stade Francais managed to rescue a losing bonus point in their 9-7 defeat at Murrayfield, but they were in possession of the second of three runners-up places with this victory at Bath.
However, Gloucester knocked them down one place by beating Newport Gwent Dragons. Akapusi Qera scored a hat-trick at Rodney Parade, but it was a penalty try 11 minutes from time that not only secured the bonus point but took Gloucester one try ahead of Ulster.
They were then grateful for the Toulouse result against Sale Sharks, but once Cardiff Blues clinched a bonus point against Harlequins just before half-time, they knew time was running out on their European ambitions.
Cardiff ran out comfortable winners at The Stoop, but in the end it was Ulster’s 17-13 defeat at Edinburgh, a game they had countless chances to win, that ultimately proved costly.
Captain Stephen Ferris said: “Our first objective was to get the win and that’s exactly what we got, so we have to be pleased. We went close to getting the four tries but in the end the boys were just knackered.
“We obviously realised there was a chance to go for the bonus point after Grewcock’s red card and I thought our wingers were outstanding.
“This has been a wonderful campaign to be involved in but it looks as though the slip-up at Edinburgh cost us qualification.”
Such is the influence of Ferris that he has not only been at the centre of Ulster’s campaign and some of the most controversial moments as opponents attempt in vain to nullify his impact.
Having been gouged by Stade Francais pair David Attoub and Julien Dupuy, the Ireland flanker was on the rough end of Danny Grewcock’s boot and the England lock was shown a red card.
Niall O’Connor booted home the resulting penalty for a 9-7 interval lead. Trimble provided the spark after the break with a thrilling solo effort from 70 metres to give the visitors flickering hope of a last-eight place. The Ireland centre produced a wonderful side-step in midfield before hitting the gas to score in the left corner.
Ulster doubled their try tally six minutes later when Simon Danielli’s excellent break allowed Darren Cave to score under the posts, but Paddy Wallace’s third try proved too little, too late.
Coach Brian McLaughlin said: “We have to be happy with the win and Andrew Trimble’s try was something special. It’s the first time we have won in the European Cup in England and it’s been a long time since an Ulster side was involved in the knock-out stages of a European competition.”
Unfortunately, that wait goes on.
BATH: Maddock; Stephenson, Carraro, Hape, Banahan; Little, Claassens; Flatman, Mears, Wilson, Grewcock, Hooper, Beattie, Salvi, Watson. Replacements: Short for Beattie (50); Barnes for Flatman, Dixon for Mears (both 64); Fa’amatuainu for Watson (69); Cuthbert for Maddock, Jarvis for Wilson (both 74); Davis for Little, Bemand for Claassens (both 76). Sent off: Grewcock (32).
ULSTER: Smith; Trimble, Cave, Wallace, Danielli; O’Connor, Boss; Court, Brady, Botha, Tuohy, O’Donoghue, Ferris, Pollock, Henry. Replacements: Kyriacou for Brady, D Fitzpatrick for Botha (both 64); Caldwell for O’Donoghue (66); Anderson for Ferris, Willis for Boss, Young for Court (all 74). Not used: Humphreys, Nagusa.
Referee: Jerome Garces (France).
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