A dream debut for Rob Lyttle inspired Ulster to come from behind to kick off the new Guinness PRO12 campaign in style with a comfortable 29-8 victory over Newport Gwent Dragons. On the third occasion the sides have met in the opening fixture, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock through a Nick Macleod penalty, before Pat Howard scored their first try of the night on his senior debut. But it didn’t take long for Ulster, chasing their first title in ten years, to bring themselves back into the lead, Lyttle, an early replacement for Craig Gilroy, going over first before a clever solo effort from Jacob Stockdale gave them the lead. And maximum points were sealed after the break as Ruan Pienaar, Lyttle with his second, and Rob Herring touched over in a dominant second half performance. Despite a lively start from Ulster, it was the visitors who got the first points on the board as Macleod kicked over after Roger Wilson was penalised for hands in the ruck. The Dragons extended their lead five minutes later after a spell of good pressure on their hosts, Macleod producing a perfect cross-kick for Howard to touch the ball down over the line. It was a first senior try for Lyttle to bring Ulster back into the half after a clever break by Pienaar, the debutant keeping cool to latch onto his teammate’s kick and scramble it over the line. Ulster took the lead just five minutes later after sustained pressure on their visitors as Stockdale expertly kicked through the Dragons defence and touched down in the corner to give his side the advantage at the break. Pienaar, who on Thursday announced he would be leaving the Kingspan at the end of the season, extended the Ulstermen’s lead within minutes of the restart, charging down a Dragons kick within the 22 allowing him to ease over the line. An inspired performance from Stockdale saw him almost double his try tally just after the hour-mark, teeing himself up for the chase to the line before the ball bounced out in dangerous territory. But it was Lyttle who scored his second of the game to give Ulster some breathing space, diving over in the corner after Les Kiss’ side took advantage of an overthrown Dragons lineout to seal the bonus point. And it wasn’t long before the men in white got their fifth try of the night as co-captain Herring made use of a driving maul to dot over the line, to make it six wins in seven for Ulster when hosting Welsh opposition in the opening fixture. Guinness PRO12 Final 2017 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 adults and €5 child, and be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie. For further information visit http://www.pro12rugby.com/final
