Rugby

Ulster pull a draw out of the fire with late try at Dragons

Christian Lealifano went over late on to ensure Ulster didn’t leave empty-handed

Ulster’s Craig Gilroy scores his side’s fourth try in their Pro14 win over Dragons. Photo: Bob Bradford /Inpho

Fri Dec 1 2017 - 21:55

Dragons 32 Ulster 32

Outhalf Christian Lealifano scored a last minute try to salvage a 32-32 draw for Ulster against lowly Welsh region the Dragons at Rodney Parade.

But the Australian international could not secure a much needed victory when he missed the conversion right in front of the posts.

The visitors looked to have been denied at the death with Dragons winger Ashton Hewitt crossing with just two minutes remaining.

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But the Ulstermen did leave with three match points, scoring four tries courtesy of a brace from winger Craig Gilro and touch downs from Paul Marshall and Lealifano.

However, Bernard Jackman’s side scored five tries through lock Matthew Screech, winger Hewitt, hooker Liam Belcher and fullback Angus O’Brien.

Les Kiss’ side made a strong start to the game when Gilroy showed his pace to cross in the right hand corner following some neat handling by Lealiifano.

But the Dragons had made matters far simpler than it needed to be when inside centre Jack Dixon was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous off the ball tackle on Lois Ludick.

Dragons went 15-8 up when Hewitt touched down in the corner as a result of a well weighted grubber kick from Dixon.

Dragons’ momentum was quickly halted when referee Marius Mitrea awarded them a penalty try as the hosts brought down a driving lineout on their own line meaning both sides turned around 15-15 at half time.

Ulster began the second period in the same fashion they had started the first with Marshall dotting down in the corner, following a powerful surge by Nick Timoney.

The visitors secured the try bonus point with 20 minutes to spare when Gilroy powered over for his second.

But just when Ulster seemed to be pulling away the Gwent region hit back with a try from Belcher who powered his way over the line after a strong Dragons maul.

O’Brien and Hewitt scored further tries to ensure a nail biting finale.

Scoring sequence – 4 mins Lealifano pen 0-3; 9 mins Gilroy try 0-8; 19 mins Screech try; Henson con 7-8; 24 mins Henson pen 10-8; 28 mins try Dixon 15-8; 32 mins Pen Try 15-15; HT 15-15; 41 mins Marshall try 15-20; 54 mins Gilroy try, Lealifano conv 15-27; 66 mins Belcher try 20-27; 71 mins O'Brien try, Henson conv 27-27, 78 mins try A Hewitt 32-27, 80 mins try C Lealifano 32-32.

DRAGONS: O'Brien, Hewitt, Warren, Dixon, Rosser, Henson, Babos, Harris, Belcher, Fairbrother, J Davies, Screech, Wainwright, Griffiths, Benjamin.

Replacements: S Hobbs for B Harris (30m), R Landman for M Screech (53m), B Roach for A Wainwright (54m).

ULSTER: Piutau, Gilroy, Bowe, McCloskey, Ludik, Lealifano, Marshall, van der Merwe, Andrew, Kane, O'Connor, Treadwell, Jones, Reidy, Timoney.

Replacements: R Best for J Andrew (52m), C Black for Van der Merwe (52m), A Warwick for R Kane (52m), C Henry for G Jones (57m).

Ulster