Ulster ended their three-game Guinness PRO12 losing run in superb style as Ruan Pienaar starred in a bonus-point 35-22 victory against Cardiff Blues. Charles Piutau, Stuart McCloskey and loosehead Kyle McCall all touched down in a breathless first-half, despite Les Kiss’ side playing their first game for a month. Openside flanker Chris Henry marked his return to secure the bonus-point win in the second half, with a Louis Ludik charge down sealing the win. Kristian Dacey’s first-half score followed by tries from Willis Halahalo and Alex Cuthbert gave the Blues hope, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a fifth Guinness PRO12 defeat in six outings. Despite Ulster boasting much of the early ball, it was the hosts who first ticked over the scoreboard, Steve Shingler needing just four minutes to find his range for a side missing Sam Warburton through illness. And it could have got better for Blues too as Tom James – eyeing up a seventh try of the season – found room on the left after a wonderful Shingler pass, only for Piutau to hold his own and bundle his man to touch. But from the first meaningful attack, rewards came, Ulster pinning the home defence right on their line, 11 phases of pressure proving its worth as Piutau dotted down for his second try in Ulster colours. With Blaine Scully by this point in the sin-bin, Ulster’s numerical advantage came to the fore, McCloskey dancing his way through the defence to make the most of wing Craig Kilroy’s break. Pienaar’s conversion extended the lead to 11, but the South African was not done there, charging down a kick to allow McCall to power over from short range. Only Zebre and Benetton Treviso had conceded more than the Blues’ 27 tries before Guinness PRO12 round ten, and with three against their name in quick succession, Danny Wilson’s side had to find form fast. And they did exactly that with the last play of the half, brilliant footwork from Reynold Lee-Lo setting up Kristian Dacey to bundle over, the deficit 21-8 at the break. It was Blues’ momentum that carried into the second period with a superb break down the right seeing Cuthbert denied by a high Iain Henderson tackle, enough to see the Ulsterman in the sin-bin. Yet with Luke Marshall following suit after Henderson’s return, it was Ulster next on the scoreboard, a wonderful break from Tommy Bowe – eyeing up his 65th try in the league – saw quick ball to the left, Henry crossing under pressure from Matthew Morgan to bring the bonus point. Nick Robinson – making his first Blues appearance since 2009 – almost single-handedly brought his side back, delivering two delicious passes for Halahalo and Cuthbert to dot down within minutes of each other, the jitters certainly present in the Ulster squad. That was until a second charge-down try sealing the deal, Ludik profiting to touch down for the Irish province’s fifth try in an entertaining clash in Wales, Pienaar maintaining his excellent form with the boot. 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
