Magners League Table

Team
Pld
Pts
MunsterMunster622
OspreysOspreys519
Glasgow WarriorsWarriors615
ScarletsScarlets513
LeinsterLeinster613
EdinburghEdinburgh612
Cardiff BluesBlues511
Ulster RugbyUlster611
Newport Gwent DragonsDragons510
Connacht RugbyConnacht68
Ulser Win The Celtic Cup
21 - 27
Murrayfield   Att: 17,174
Referee: Nigel Williams
Saturday 20th December 2003, 14:30
Ulster Rugby have defeated Edinburgh to win the Celtic Cup at Murrayfield.
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The 17,134 Fans Inside The Home Of Scottish Rugby Were Treated To A Thrilling Climax At The End Of A
Steve Pope
The 17,134 fans inside the home of Scottish rugby were treated to a thrilling climax at the end of a see-saw battle.

Ulster came out of the blocks with frightening speed, racing to a 21-0 lead at the break with tries from Neil Best and Rowen Frost after David Humphreys has settled early nerves with two penalties on his way to a 17-point haul.

The 1999 European champions were dominant at that stage, with Andy Ward and Wilson having standout performances.

Edinburgh did produce a fightback in the second quarter, but were left pointless as the break after Chris Paterson's penalty goal attempt bounced off the crossbar.

The second half saw Edinburgh fightback. Todd Balckadder's troops scored three tries to haul themselves back into the match through Simon Webster and Derick Lee and Mike Blair.

But Ulster looked to have secured victory when Humphries slotted his third penalty in the final moments of normal time, but when Edinburgh scrum-half Mike Blair went over two minutes into extra time, hopes of a comeback were re-ignited.

However, Ulster held on to secure the victory when Humphreys coolly slotted over his fourth penalty goal with the final kick of the match.

Man-of-the-match Humphreys was delighted at the final whistle. 'We've achieved all our goals so far this season,' he said.

'We are top of the Celtic League and have won the Celtic Cup. I'm delighted. Sometimes it doesn't matter if you win by three points, as long as you win. Today we won ugly, but I'm absolutely delighted with the result.


Edinburgh Rugby V Ulster Rugby
 PDCTPosPlayerPlayerPosTCDP 




1

Derrick Lee
15
Paddy Wallace










1

Simon Webster
14
James Topping





Replacement off






Marcus Di Rollo
13
Shane Stewart












Brendan Laney
12
Paul Steinmetz












Craig Joiner
11
Tyrone Howe









3


Chris Paterson
10
David Humphreys


1

5





1

Mike Blair
9
Neil Doak












Allan Jacobsen
1
Robbie Kempson






Replacement off





Dougie Hall
2
Matt Sexton





Replacement off
Replacement off





Ramin Mathieson
3
Simon Best





Replacement off






Nathan Hines
4
Rowan Frost

1










Scott Murray
5
Matt Mustchin





Replacement off






Todd Blackadder
6
Andy Ward






Replacement off





Simon Cross
7
Neil Best

1



Replacement off






Simon Taylor
8
Roger Wilson






Replacements
Replacement on





Andrew Kelly
16
Paul Shields





Replacement on
Replacement on





Craig Smith
17
Rod Moore





Replacement on






Alastair Kellock
18
Matt McCullough





Replacement on
Replacement on





Allister Hogg
19
Warren Brosnihan





Replacement on






Graeme Burns
20
Kieran Campbell












Alistair Dickson
21
Adam Larkin





Replacement on






Hugo Southwell
22
Bryn Cunningham






Penalty Tries
0
0
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