pro 12 03-11-14

OLDING SHOWS HE HAS THE GAME IN HIS HANDS

Stuart Olding was the man of the match scoring 2 tries in this disappointing match as Ulster did not show the class we know that they have got much more than this as a team. But it did show that they needed the experienced Ireland players to win this. After 26 minutes Paddy Jackson scored 2 penalties.  Jacksons lay off set Olding trough for a quality run after 26 minutes. The Dragons did get 3 points before the break. Ulster were surprisingly not disallowed a just after the break when Mc Closky passed to Olding and the ball was not considered to be in touch. Fitzpatrick got a try just before the end of the game it was very close range but Ian Humphries scored the conversion. Why I consider this a bad result was because Ulster did have control of the end of the match and were not able to get the bonus point.  

HANRAHAN KICKS MUNSTER TO GLORY

Amborsio scored a very early try for the blues quickly followed by Vosawi scored also try for the Blues converted by Davies. But when Davies scored a penalty it seemed like the blues had control of this match until the end when Butlar scored a very important try on the 77^th minute which kept Munster in the hunt for honours.

SCARLET'S MUST IMPROVE BUT SHINGER STILL HAS CONTROL

A mistake led to the first try as Scarlet’s full-back Steffan Evans' kick was charged down by Valerio and the second row chased and gathered the ball to score. Padovanni converted to stretch Zebra’s advantage to 13-9 they must have been very worried, but Shingler's fourth penalty brought the home side to within a point of the visitors. Pivac's side took control after half-time and Shingler kicked them into an 18-13 lead after 47 minutes. Zebre prop Dario Chistolini was yellow carded five minutes later after the Italians were penalised at the scrum. With both sides down to 14 men, replacement centre Hughes hit a great angle to score following a driving scrum. Shingler converted and sealed the points with his seventh penalty late on. Scarlet’s have definitely got a lot to learn from this match.

MATAWALU TRY WAS THE DIFFERENCE IN THIS MATCH

 Glasgow were surprisingly disappointing in this match at home with bottom of the table Treviso. The try was the first score of the match for Glasgow. Peter Horne kicked four successful penalties, with the boot of Jayden Hayward putting Treviso's points on the board.

RYAN MOST IMPORTANT MAN FOR LEINSTER AS THEY GAIN BONUS POINT

The wins in the European Cup mean that Leinster is definitely beginning to get their form back. Early tries from Dominic Ryan and Jack Conan helped Leinster lead 12-3 at half-time as Edinburgh lost Nick McLennan and Allan Dell to injury. Another Ryan score and a Ben Marshall try secured Leinster's bonus point. Mick McGrath added a late Leinster try after Tomas Leonardi touched down for the battling visitors.

Leinster were able go give Former Samoan rugby league star Ben Te'o's  his Leinster debut but it lasted only 20 minutes as he was forced off with an apparent wrist problem.

TRIES FROM ROBERTS AND HASSLAR MAKE OSPRAYS DIFFERENCE

Connacht is definitely an improving side this year and even though they lost to a team with form this year I feel that they can do well. Connacht lead by 6 points to 3 before Jeff Hasslar scored their first try.  The home side then took control, opening up a 26-6 lead through scrum-half Martin Roberts's try. Eoin McKeon crashed over for a late Connacht consolation. There are much bigger pro 12 ties that Ospreys will have to face but based on early form it does look like they will reach the play offs.

There is now a week off for the pro 12 teams where the Welsh teams go into the LV cup this I don’t think I will look at. I hope to focus on the Internationals.