Ulster and Stormers share spoils in dramatic draw

Tries: Roos, Feinberg-Mngomezulu 2, Khan, penalty try Con: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 4 Pen: Feinberg-Mngomezulu Ulster and Stormers produced an enthralling 38-38 draw in a United Rugby Championship game that featured 11 tries and a controversial ending at Affidea Stadium. It was a result which will satisfy neither side completely, but the three points for Ulster does strengthen their chances of making the top eight and the URC play-offs, although it will go down to the final game against Glasgow Warriors next week. The Stormers, also with three points, missed the opportunity to go top of the table which would bring home advantage throughout the play-offs.

Ulster scored six tries, with Werner Kok helping himself to a hat-trick and Zac Ward, Michael Lowry and Eric O’Sullivan also touching down. It was the Stormers' fifth and final try that grabbed the headlines, however. With time up on the clock, it looked like Ulster’s Nathan Doak had won the game by tackling and holding up Stormers winger Leolin Zas as he looked to score.

But, upon further review, Doak was penalised for shoulder-to-head contact, received a yellow card, and a penalty try was awarded. Kok scored a hat-trick, including two similar tries in the first half Ulster figures had spoken all week about focusing on the conclusion to the URC despite the euphoria of reaching the European Challenge Cup final, and they were true to their word in taking an early lead. The visitors were the architects of their own downfall for the opening try of the game.

Pinned back in their own 22, Stormers conceded an unnecessary line-out and Ulster put the ball through the phases before giving Kok an easy finish in the corner. However, straight from the kick-off, Stormers were back on level terms as they hammered holes in Ulster’s defence with flanker Evan Roos diving over from close range. Iain Henderson was then yellow-carded for a croc-roll in the ruck and this was subsequently upgraded in the bunker to a 20-minute red card.