United Rugby Championship Wrap-up: Round 2

Munster vs Stormers: 

Munster overcame a 15 point deficit to beat the Stormers 34-18 in a tale of two halves. 

The Stormers missed an early shot at goal, but opened the scoring with a try ten minutes in. Midway through the first half the Stormers went over for try number two to make it 12-0. 

The Stormers added a penalty around the half hour mark to open up a 15 point lead. Munster got on the board with a try with the final play of the first half to trail 15-7 at the break. 

The Stormers picked up a yellow card at the beginning of the second half and Munster made them pay, with two quick tries taking them in front for the first time in the match. 

Munster had their tails up and another try followed shortly after to extend their lead out to 24-15. The Stormers pulled three points back with a penalty with around 15 minutes remaining, but shortly after another Munster try saw the hosts regain firm control of the match, up 31-18. 

Munster would seal it with a penalty to bring a hard fought victory to a close. 

Ulster vs Zebre: 

Ulster overcame a disjointed first half to run out 36-3 winners over Zebre. 

Ulster struck first with a try midway through the first half, with Zebre slotting a penalty after 33 minutes to trail 5-3. 

Ulster scored their second try on the stroke of halftime to take a 10-3 lead into the break. 

An early second half try pushed Ulster's lead out to 17-3. Zebre then picked up a yellow card and Ulster capitalized with the bonus point fourth try. 

Another yellow card for Zebre followed an hour into the match and once again Ulster took advantage with a score to make it 29-3. Ulster rounded out a much better second half performance with try number six just before fulltime to conclude the bonus point victory. 

Glasgow Warriors vs Sharks: 

The Glasgow Warriors got their first win of the United Rugby Championship with a 35-24 home victory over the Sharks in round 2. 

The Warriors got off to the perfect start, with a try just a minute in, with the Sharks missing a penalty attempt shortly after. 

The Sharks were reduced to 14 players with a yellow card 12 minutes in and the Glasgow Warriors capitalized on their numerical advantage with two tries to race into a 21-0 lead midway through the first half. 

The Sharks got on the board with a try five minutes later to trail 21-7. The Warriors ran in the bonus point fourth try after 36 minutes, with the Sharks kicking a penalty with the final play of the first half to trail 28-10 at halftime. 

The Warriors all but wrapped up the match with an early second half try pushing their lead out to 35-10. The Sharks showed fight in the remainder of the game, crossing for a further two tries to bring some respectability to the scoreline. 

Benetton vs Edinburgh: 

A drop goal with time well up on the clock saw Benetton edge Edinburgh 28-27 in round 2 of the United Rugby Championship. 

Benetton opened the scoring with a try just five minutes in, with Edinburgh hitting back with a score ten minutes later to lead 7-5. 

Benetton went ahead with a penalty, but two Edinburgh tries in quick succession saw the visitors up 19-8 approaching the half hour mark. 

A Benetton try shortly after closed the gap to 19-15 at the break after a frenetic first half. Edinburgh crossed for try number four ten minutes into the second half to take control, up 24-15. Benetton slotted a penalty after 58 minutes, but shortly after picked up a yellow card to go down to 14 players. 

Despite being a player short, Benetton scored a try to hit the front by a single point, making it 25-24 with a little under ten minutes remaining. Edinburgh got their noses in front with a penalty shortly after to set up a tense finish. Benetton would snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with a last gasp drop goal sealing a late and dramatic victory for the hosts. 

Scarlets vs Lions: 

The Lions were no match for Scarlets at Parc Y Scarlets, succumbing to the hosts 36-13. Scarlets scored four tries in a dominant performance while the Lions only managed one. 

Connacht vs Bulls: 

Things did not improve for Bulls in Round 2 as they crashed to another defeat at the hands of an Irish side in Connacht. The latter were fired up for the contest and a very dominant second half saw them put themselves out of the Bulls’ reach. Connacht’s attack served them well as they ran in a total of five tries while the Bulls managed only one. 

Ospreys vs Cardiff: 

A very even contest saw Ospreys edge out Cardiff 18-14. All Ospreys’ points came from the boot while Cardiff managed to score two tries. 

Dragons vs Leinster: 

The round concluded with a terrible contest as Leinster pipped Dragons 7-6 on the latter’s home turf. It was a match which was decidedly dull and lacking creativity from both sides.