BBC SPORT | N Ireland | Ulster too strong for Bedford

Ulster 29-7 Bedford

Two tries by Bryn Cunningham set up Ulster for a convincing victory over Bedford in the friendly at Ravenhill on Friday evening.

Although a little ring-rusty in their first full outing of the season, coach Alan Solomons will take plenty of positives from the game.

For a start, his side outscored the opposition by five tries to one.

There were one or two problems at breakdowns where the Ulster's continuity was spoiled by Bedford piling through in the loose.

Ulster's defence was also watertight in the extreme, giving Bedford little space to manoeuvre, while the handling by both backs and forwards was excellent.

Bedford found the going tough both in the scrums and line-outs where Jeremy Davidson signalled his return from injury with a number of important steals.

Ulster patiently built up a head of steam and took advantage of a swathe of possession to storm ahead in the 17th minute.

A series of rucks starting from inside their own half put Bedford under pressure and slick hands close to the line saw full-back Cunningham slide over in the corner for Larkin to convert from the touchline.

Mark Blair will be hoping to be included in the Irish squad this year
Mark Blair breaks through a tackle

It was Cunningham who set up Ulster's second score in the 29th minute.

He countered splendidly from deep and it was skipper Andy Ward who put James Topping over at the posts.

Ulster had numerous other chances to stretch their lead, but over-enthusiasm more than anything spoiled dented their chances as Bedford hung on to a 14-point half-time deficit.

Bedford were given an opportunity get back into the game when full-back James Pritchard intercepted a pass from the impressive Russell Nelson to stride home unimpeded from the half-way line.

But Ulster immediately countered with replacement hooker Paul Shields selling a glorious dummy to put Ward over.

Neat handling and running into space saw Ulster stretch their lead in the 58th minute with number 8 Russell Nelson bursting through to put Cunningham in for his second touchdown.

Lock Mark Blair was next on the scoresheet when he was on the end of a driving maul in the 62nd minute as Ulster took a commanding 29-7 lead.

Bedford, though did not sit back, and they did pressure Ulster, but again were unable to breach a very rock-solid defence.

Ulster: B Cunningham, J Topping; J Bell, R Constable, J Cunningham; A Larkin, K Campbell; J Fitzpatrick, M Sexton, C Boyd, J Davidson, M Blair, A Ward, capt, R Nelson, N McMillan.
Replacements: R Kempson for Fitzpatrick (50), P Shields for Sexton (40), N Best for Nelson (78), R Spee for Campbell (74).

Scorers: Tries: B Cunningham (2), Topping, Ward, Blair; Cons: Larkin (2)

Bedford: J Pritchard; S Lincoln, T Kirk, M Straten, B Whetstone; E Barnes, A Holloway; J Ross, P Saffy, M Volland (capt), S Halfey, A Orugbeoh, H Quigley, L White, A Fox.
Replacements: K Ronaki for Saffy (40); L Anker for Whetstone (55); T Cowley for Fox (67); M Ormesher for Ross (77); D Hankinson for Orugbeoh (77), M Cornish for Volland (77) S Grey for Holloway (53).

Scorers: Tries: Pritchard; Cons: Pritchard.

Referee: S McDowell


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