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| | Saturday, 15 September, 2001, 11:57 GMT 12:57 UK Humphreys saves Ulster  Pontypridd's Sonny Parker is tackled by Adam Larkin Pontypridd 20-29 Ulster David Humphreys' outstanding display ensured Pontypridd's Pool A Celtic League fixtures ended with defeat. As well as scoring 14 points with his accurate kicking, the Irish fly-half shone in both attack and defence to guide Ulster to a home quarter-final draw against Neath. In a keenly contested first half, Ulster went into the lead after five minutes with a 22-metre penalty from Humphreys.
The visitors continued on the offensive and after much pressure, Humphreys increased the lead with a second goal. Minutes later he completed his hat-trick with an easy kick from in front of the posts. In the 23rd minute fly-half Ceri Sweeney cut the deficit for Ponty with a 38-metre goal but Ulster continued to have the upper hand, Humphreys frequently pushing his side up field with fine tactical kicking. From a scrum near the Ponty line, Ulster prop Simon Best crashed over for a well-worked try. Two Sweeney penalties reduced the home side's deficit to 14-9 at half-time, and the fly-half slotted another soon after the restart to put his side back in contention.
However, within minutes Humphreys responded for Ulster with a 36-metre drop goal. Battling Ponty returned to the offensive, with Sweeney adding his fifth penalty and Ponty followed this with a fine try from skipper Dale McIntosh that put them in the lead for the first time. In the last quarter, Ulster went on the attack again and a defensive error let in Ryan Constable for a try, converted by Humphreys, after a neat handling move. They quickly added another touchdown through Mark Blair as thier nine-point victory took them above Glasgow and second place in Pool A. Pontypridd:G Wyatt; D Feaunati, S Parker, S James, R Johnston; C Sweeney, G Baber; G Jenkins, M Davies, D Bell, N Kelly, B Cockbain, D McIntosh (capt), R Parks, M Owen. Ulster: P Wallace; J Topping, S Stewart, A Larkin, T Howe; D Humphreys, N Doak; S Best, P Shields, C Boyd, G Longwell, J Davidson, T McWhirter, A Ward (capt), R Nelson. Replacements: S Coulter, R Constable, B Free, N McMillen, M Blair, J Fitzpatrick, R Weir. Referee: Chris White (England). | |
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