mens
United-rugby-championship
Edinburgh gave up a late fight Ulster to secure a 34-29 win on the first day United Rugby Championship at the Affidea Stadium.
The visitors led 20-5 at half-time and 34-5 after 49 minutes and although Ulster hit back with three second-half tries and a late Jack Murphy penalty to put them within five points, it was not enough.
Freddy Douglas converted the opening touchdown and James Grayson’s penalty gave Edinburgh a 10-0 lead before Mikey Lowry went over for Ulster’s first goal.
But another Grayson penalty and Edinburgh’s second try from Malelili Satala put the Scots 20-5 up at the break.
Hector Patterson and Piers O’Conor both went over early in the second period and two more Grayson conversions extended Edinburgh’s lead to 34-5.
Ulster hit back with three tries in the space of eight minutes from Zac Ward, David McCann and Keynan Knox, converted by Murphy, to reduce the deficit to 34-26 and get the home fans off their feet, but despite Murphy’s late penalty, Edinburgh held on.