Uslter Too Strong

Ulster 37 - 18 Dragons Ravenhill   Att: 5,807 Referee: Andrew Ireland Friday 26th September 2003, 19:30

The Dragons slump to their second heavy defeat in a week at Ravenhill

Ulster ran in convincing 37-18 winners over the Newport-Gwent Dragons at Ravenhill. Alan Solomon’s' side registered four tries. First half scoring came when with captain and back row Andy Ward crossing, and Adam Larkin adding a conversion and two penalties. The Dragons only first-half scores coming from a Craig Wallow penalty and drop-goal. Ulster turned on the style in the second period, with Tony Charter, Ryan Constable and Tyrone Howe all going over as the 1999 European champions stamped their authority on the match. Ulster outside-half Larkin who, wearing the No.10 shirt in the absence of Ireland's David Humphrey’s and recent call-up Paddy Wallace - converted all four tries and add three penalties in a fine display that will keep coach Solomon’s’ confidence high during the World Cup period. For the Dragons, former Saracens wing Gerald Areas and ex-Bristol scrum-half Gareth Barber scored their tries - Wallow converting one on an unproductive night for the Gwent outfit.

Ulster V Dragons   P D C T Pos Player Player Pos T C D P   Bryn Cunningham 15 Ben Breeze Scott Young 14 Gerald Arasa 1 1 Ryan Constable 13 Nathan Brew Shane Stewart 12 Andy Marinos 1 Tyrone Howe 11 Kevin James 3 4 Adam Larkin 10 Craig Warlow 1 1 1 Kieran Campbell 9 Rhodri Jones Ronan McCormack 1 Adam Black Matt Sexton 2 Steve Jones Bryan Young 3 Chris Anthony Matt Mustchin 4 Ian Gough Rowan Frost 5 Peter Sidoli 1 Tony McWhirter 6 Rhys Oakley 1 Andy Ward 7 Jason Forster Roger Wilson 8 Shawn Van Rensburg Replacements Reece Spee 16 David Pattison James Topping 17 Kieran Crawford Seamus Mallon 18 Luke Charteris Matt McCullough 19 Jamie Ringer Simon Shawe 20 Steve Winn Paul Shields 21 Byron Hayward Neil Best 22 Gareth Baber 1 Penalty Tries 0 0

All Pictures: ©  http://www.inpho.ie/, Huw Evans Agency,  Martin Stuart