Celtic League ReportCardiff Blues 22 Ulster 25Ulster opened their Celtic League campaign in impressive fashion as they ground out a rare victory on the road at the Arms Park last night.
It was Ulster veteran David Humphreys who provided the foundation for the victory, with the outhalf kicking 20 points, including a drop-goal.
But it was a deft chip from the boot of scrumhalf Kieran Campbell that proved the game-breaker, as the ball sat up for wing Tommy Bowe to race over for his side's only try in the 64th minute.
The score nudged Ulster in front for the first time, and when Humphreys added the conversion and banged over a drop-goal soon after, the game was in the grasp of Mark McCall's side.
The visitors had to endure a late scare, when home wing Craig Morgan raced over completely against the run of play when a Humphreys drop-goal attempt was charged down.
But Ulster dug deep and ground out the win to end a miserable run of nine competitive defeats away from Ravenhill.
Ulster had gone into the game with history stacked against them. They had registered only one victory in their last six visits to the Arms Park and had not won in Wales since defeating the now defunct Celtic Warriors in March 2004.
And the visitors, who gave debuts to former Wallaby lock Justin Harrison and highly promising home-grown wing Andrew Trimble, looked in serious danger of being cast adrift when Cardiff outhalf Nicky Robinson slotted his fifth penalty in the 48th minute to set up a six-point advantage in a game that until that point had been dominated by mistakes and the whistle of Scottish referee Rob Dickson.
Not surprisingly, the contest had boiled down to a kicking duel between Robinson and Humphreys, with neither side looking comfortable enough on the ball to create try-scoring opportunities.
Robinson had led the way for the home side with his first penalty as early as the third minute, and although Humphreys twice levelled the scores with three of his own, a gap of clear water had opened up as the game entered the final quarter.
But a burst of scoring by Ulster grasped the game by the scruff of the neck, with Humphreys quickly levelling the contest again with two quick penalties before Campbell carved out Bowe's touchdown.
Cardiff's late touchdown tested Ulster's resolve, but coach McCall was proud and happy to see his side hold on for a perfect start to their Celtic League campaign.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 3 mins: N Robinson pen, 3-0; 6: D Humphreys pen, 3-3; 8: Robinson pen, 6-3; 21: Humphreys pen, 6-6; 22: Robinson penalty, 9-6; 26: Humphreys pen, 9-9; 39: Robinson pen, 12-9; 48: Robinson pen, 15-9; 57: Humphreys pen, 15-12; 61: Humphreys pen, 15-15; 64: T Bowe try, Humphreys con, 15-22; 71: Humphreys drop-goal, 15-25; 77: C Morgan try, Robinson con, 22-25.
CARDIFF: N MacLeod; C Czekaj, R Williams, T Davies, C Morgan; N Robinson, M Phillips; J Yapp, Rhys Thomas, M Jones (B Evans 67 mins), C Quinnell (D Jones 73 mins), R Sidoli, M Molitika, R Sowden-Taylor, A Powell (M Lewis (69 mins).
ULSTER: P Wallace; T Bowe, K Maggs, P Steinmetz, A Trimble; D Humphreys, K Campbell; J Fitzpatrick, P Shields (R Best 59 mins), S Best, J Harrison, M McCullough (R Frost 59 mins), N Best, N McMillan, R Wilson.
Referee: R Dickson (SRU)
