Currie 13 - 28 Ulster Ravens: Second straight loss as Currie undone by power of Ulster pack

CURRIE crashed to their second successive defeat in the British and Irish cup under the floodlights in the west of Edinburgh last night.

It was the Ulster pack that ultimately made the difference, conceding several turnovers in the loose, but dominating scrum and lineout and producing a steady supply of ball throughout that their wasteful backs eventually turned into points.

With skipper Mark Cairns back from injury, Currie saw full-back Jamie Forbes ghosted through the Ulster defence in the first minute, but rather than look for the pass he rolled the ball into the corner for a lineout and the danger passed. Ulster forced their way up to the red zone but careless handling lost them possession, although Currie gave it straight back with a poor touch kick.

A quick tap-and-go penalty in his own half by Currie scrum-half Chris Leck caught Ulster by surprise and his clever grubber kick went through the legs of Irish full back Peter Nelson causing him to fumble and concede a scrum five metres from the line. But the Ulster forwards ensured the ball was cleared but went offside at a follow-up ruck giving Forbes a 30-metre penalty attempt he slotted perfectly between the posts.

Ulster were rewarded with a penalty for some illicit jersey pulling when Leck rather blatantly took out a support player and earned himself a yellow card. The kick was right on the 22 and dead in front and stand off James McKinney converted.

Both teams were willing to run the ball but neither could string together the passes to deliver a genuine threat. Ulster full back Nelson almost made the break in the home 22 but the referee decided he was helped by some crossing and called him back.

Following some intense Ulster pressure, Currie broke out and a good touch kick took them up to the visitors’ 22 but they couldn’t do anything with the lineout. Ulster fought their way back upfield and Currie had to collapse a scrum ten metres from the line to protect their ball. Ulster chose to go for the scrum again, winning another penalty and opting for another third scrum to go for the pushover. Success came in the form of a penalty try as Currie buckled, McKinney converted.

There was just enough time left for Currie to battle to the other end and put winger David Smith over in the darkest corner. The referee had a good look before raising his arm. Forbes conversion from out wide was beautifully struck and made it 10-10 at the break.

Ulster forced the pace at the restart. Whitten found a gap and slipped a couple of tackles but the when the ball went wide they were let down once more by poor handling.

Their dominance at the set scrum produced another penalty as Currie were marched backwards but McKinney’s penalty attempt from 25 metres slid wide of the post.

Currie were carrying their own threat and moved into enemy territory after blindside flanker Connor Joyce was sent to the sin bin for going offside one too many times. But even a man short, the Ravens were beginning to build momentum. The Ulster pack won another penalty as yet another scrum went backwards and McKinney made no mistake this time from 25 metres to edge his team ahead by three points.

That was cancelled out minutes later after Dougie Fife made progress up the right wing and Forbes took the penalty as Ulster scrambled to cover.

Ulster went straight back down the pitch and their pack won another penalty wide on the left. McKinney’s kick ballooned into the air and dropped short but Currie were caught on their own line and Ulster were right in their faces.

Eventually, Ulster did cross the line with winger Chris Cochrane touching down but the touch judge has noticed some earlier handling in a ruck and it was ruled out. But Ulster then regained the lead when Forbes was yellow carded for a ruck offence and McKinney landed his third penalty with less than ten minutes to go.

Ulster made sure of victory when they sliced open up 14-man Currie and replacement full back Ricky Andrew went in for the try. McKinney added the extras. Cochrane snatched a third try right on the full-time whistle.

Scorers: Currie – Tries: Smith. Cons: Forbes. Pens: Forbes 2. Ulster – Tries: Penalty, Andrew, Cochrane. Cons: McKinney 2. Pens: McKinney 3.

Currie: B Mansfield; J Johnstone, D Fife, A MacMahon, D Smith; J Forbes, C Leck; J Cox, F Scott, C Phillips, Simon Marcell, G Temple, M Cairns, M Entwhistle, R Weston. Replacements used: M Vernal, N Dymock, S Burton, M Peacock, J Bruton, A Whittingham.

Ulster: P Nelson; C Gaston, M Allen, I Whitten, C Cochrane; J McKinney, B McIlroy; C Black, A Kyriacou, C Carey, T Barker, N McComb, C Joyce, A Birch, S O’Connell.