 Andrew Trimble sprints to the line to score Ulster's try |
Ulster (0) 16
Try: Trimble
Con: Humphreys
Pens: Humphreys (2)
Drop goal: Humphreys Leinster (6) 16
Try: D'Arcy
Con: Sexton
Pens: Sexton (3)
David Humphreys inspired Ulster to an unlikely comeback draw in the Magners League derby clash at Ravenhill.
Leinster dominated the the first half but only led 6-0 at the break thanks to two Jonathan Sexton penalties
Gordon D'Arcy's try put the visitors further ahead before the introduction of Humphreys changed the game.
The fly-half started the move for an Andrew Trimble try and his nine points from the boot included an injury-time penalty to level the scores.
Leinster's six-point advantage at the break was paltry reward for their total control of the first half.
The visitors wasted numerous chances for tries while Ulster barely escaped from their own half.
Sexton missed a seventh minute penalty for Leinster before Paddy Wallace failed to convert Ulster's only opportunity from a penalty two minutes later.
Leinster came closest to a try after 30 minutes when Tommy Bowe beat Brian Carney in a race to the ball from Brian O'Driscoll's clever kick in the corner.
Sexton doubled Leinster's lead with his second penalty four minutes from half-time.
Leinster's lack of composure and poor decision making close to the line kept a lifeless Ulster in the game going into the second half.
The expected try finally came five minutes after the interval when D'Arcy forced his way over in the corner after another flowing move - Sexton added the conversion.
It looked bleak for Ulster but their prospects improved after veteran fly-half Humphreys replaced Wallace on 47 minutes.
The former Irish star began to dictate play and his break in the 54th minute produced an unlikely try.
Humphreys off-loaded to Bryn Cunningham and his pass sent Trimble sprinting over the line for a converted touchdown.
The balance of the game shifted and Humphreys sent over a penalty before making it all-square with a trademark drop goal.
Leinster regained the lead five minutes later with Sexton kicking over another penalty.
But the magnificent Humphreys had the final say by firing over the equalising penalty deep into injury-time.
Ulster: B Cunningham; T Bowe, A Trimble, R Dewey, M McCrea; P Wallace, I Boss; J Fitzpatrick, R Best, B Young, C del Fava, R Caldwell, N Best, K Dawson, S Ferris.
Replacements: N Brady, D Fitzpatrick, J Harrison, R Wilson, P Marshall, D Humphreys, M Bartholomeusz.
Leinster: G Dempsey; S Horgan, B O'Driscoll, capt, G D'Arcy, R Kearney; J Sexton, C Whitaker; O Le-Roux, B Jackman, S Knoop, L Cullen, M O'Kelly, S Keogh, S Jennings, J Heaslip.
Replacements: B Blaney, S Wright, D Toner, K Gleeson, C Willis, C Werner, L Fitzgerald.
Referee: George Clancy (IRFU).
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