POOL FOUR Biarritz 35 Ulster 15:ULSTER'S MISERY on their travels in France continued following a comprehensive defeat to last season's Heineken Cup finalists Biarritz.
The big-spending Irish province had never won in France with just one draw – a 35-35 classic at Toulouse a decade ago – from their 12 previous attempts.
But that number became an unlucky 13 as wing sensation Takudzwa Ngwenya grabbed a brace of second-half tries to allow the home side to surge towards an invaluable bonus-point success in Pool Four.
Ulster fought to the death but, despite consolation scores from Andrew Trimble and Stephen Ferris, the visitors could not handle the power of the Top 14 outfit which was emphasised by the manner of the touchdowns by front-five forwards Manuel Carizza and Sylvain Marconnet.
But David Humphreys insists Ulster remain firmly in the hunt for qualification to the latter stages after leaving the south of France empty-handed: “The competition is still wide open. We said at the start of the campaign that we needed to win all our home games, pick up a bonus point win at Aironi and try to get some points at Biarritz and Bath. We have four games left and there is plenty to play for.
“We were unbeaten before this game but we weren’t a great side. But we’re not a bad one after one game as we’re in a transitional stage. We won’t lose heart. We have to keep improving and make sure we’re ready for Bath in December.
“We’re aspiring to be a top team. We haven’t been making the number of errors we did today in previous games.
“We must keep improving but we’ve got good players, some top-class internationals who are proven at the highest level.”
Ulster were level at 3-3 heading into the break, although it could and should have been so much more for Brian McLaughlin’s men.
But Ulster director of coaching Humphreys was left lamenting his side’s profligacy in attack after Dimitri Yachvili took command for the home side. Humphreys said: “The game really showed the difference of experience in Europe between Biarritz and ourselves.
“We should have been 12-15 points clear but it was a different game in the second half. They came out, scored a good try and then Yachvili dominated the game.
“But the mentality of the lads in the dressingroom at half-time was we’d created opportunities in the first half but we had not taken them.
“In the second half we needed to get a break or a little bit of luck. But Ngwenya grabbed a high ball and they eventually scored after a series of plays.
“The margins are so small at this level. But if you do not take your chances you will be punished. Biarritz took their opportunities and then showed everyone why they are one of the top sides in Europe.”
Yachvili directed operations as the game wore on and completed the tie in the south-west of France with an impressive 15-point haul.
His opposite number Ruan Pienaar missed a 10th-minute penalty but atoned for his poor strike with a successful kick three minutes later to hand the visitors a deserved lead in the sunshine.
But, once Yachvili booted his opening penalty, the hosts didn’t look back as he combined with Magnus Lund to send Ngwenya over for his opener in the left corner on 44 minutes.
Yachvili converted and added two penalties as Biarritz surged into a 16-3 advantage.
As the game reached the hour mark, the hosts increased the tempo as front-five forwards Carissa and Marconnet powered over either side of a routine touchdown from Trimble.
But then speed sensation Ngwenya completed the perfect afternoon for the home side with the fourth try with three minutes remaining as backrower Ferris’ try from a quick-tap only proved to be a consolation for the visitors.
Match Statistics
Scorers, Biarritz – Tries: Ngwenya (2), Carizza, Marconnet; Cons: Yachvili (3); Pens: Yachvili (3). Ulster – Tries:Trimble, Ferris: Con: Pienaar; Pen: Pienaar.
BIARRITZ: D Haylett-Petty (I Bolakoro 68), T Ngwenya, C Gimenez (A Mignardi 75), M Bond (D Traille 52), I Balshaw, J Peyrelongue, D Yachvili, E Coetzee (C Johnstone 68), B August (R Terrain 65), C Johnstone (S Marconnet 52), J Thion, M Carizza (F Faure 63), M Lund, I Harinordoquy (capt; A Barozzi 68), S Vahafolau (B Guyot 40).
ULSTER: D McIlwaine, A Trimble, I Whitten, P Wallace, S Danielli (A D'Arcy 24), I Humphreys (N Spence 73), R Pienaar, T Court, R Best (capt), B Botha (P McAllister 67), J Muller, T Barker (D Tuhoy 51), P Wannenburg, S Ferris, R Diack (C Henry 63 – A Kyiacou 72). Replacements: B Young, P Marshall.
Referee: Dave Pearson(England).
Attendance: 10,000.
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