Ulster 29-34 Edinburgh: Ulster’s fight back comes up short in Edinburgh loss

United Rugby Championship, Affidea Stadium

Ulster (5) 34

Tries: Lowry, Ward, McCann Cons: Murphy (2) Pens: Murphy

Edinburgh (20) 29

Tries: Douglas, Satala, Patterson, O’Connor, Knox Cons: Grayson (5) Pens: Grayson (2)

Ulster’s thrilling second-half comeback came up short as Edinburgh left Belfast with a 34-29 win in the opening game of the United Rugby Championship.

In a pulsating start to the new season, the Scottish side had played Ulster off the pitch in the first 55 minutes as they built what looked like an unassailable 34-5 lead.

Tries came from Freddy Douglas, Malelili Satala, Hector Patterson and Piers O’Conor with James Grayson converting them all and adding two penalties.

Only Michael Lowry’s try troubled the scorers for Ulster.

Then, from out of nowhere, the home side found their stride scoring three tries in the space of 10 minutes from Zac Ward, David McCann and Keynan Knox with Jack Murphy adding the conversions and a late penalty.

Momentum was on their side, but Ulster couldn’t complete the job but did secure two bonus points for their efforts.

Ulster: Lowry; Baloucoune, Carson, Benson, King; Murphy, McKee; O’Sullivan, McCormick, Bello; Snyman, Donnell; McCann, Moloney, McNabney

Replacements: Walker, Mcallister, Knox, Sheridan, McKillop, Stewart, Devine, Flannery, Ward

Edinburgh: O’Conor; Satala-Navlivou, Currie, Higgins, Gwynn; Grayson, Patterson; Hepburn, Morris, Hill; Hunter-Hill, Young; McConnell, Douglas, Bradbury

Replacements: Blyth-Lafferty, Whitcombe, Rae, McVie, Currie, McAlpine, Scott, McHaffie