URC: Round 3 Wrap-Up

October 10, 2021
2547
Ultimate Rugby

Ulster vs Benetton:

Ulster maintained their winning record with a commanding 28-8 victor over Benetton.

Nathan Doak was in sublime form, scoring two tries while leading his team to victory.

The Irishmen were dominant from start to finish and Benetton’s poor discipline did not help their cause as they kept themselves on the back foot with a slew of penalties.

Sharks vs Ospreys:

Boeta Chamberlain snapped over three drop goals to put the icing on an impressive Cell C Sharks cake as they notched up a deserved first win in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, beating the Swansea-based Ospreys 27-13 (halftime 6-6).

Chamberlain’s unerring eye for the poles added to slick tries for centre Jeremy Ward and wing Marnus Potgieter and steered the KwaZulu-Natalians to a great win in the third round of the competition.

It was a richly deserved victory as the Cell C Sharks dominated territory and possession and continued the improvement they had shown in the second half in Glasgow last week. The competition will know that when they have their Boks back, they will be even more of a force to be reckoned with.

Edinburgh vs Stormers:

Edinburgh and the Stormers could not be separated as the sides played out to a 20 all draw in round 3 of the United Rugby Championship.

Edinburgh started like a house on fire, running in two tries in the opening six minutes to race into a 14-0 lead. The Stormers hit back immediately with their first try and added a penalty shortly after to reduce the deficit to just four points. Edinburgh slotted a penalty to make it a seven point ball game, but the Stormers responded with their second try to level matters at 17 apiece.

The sides traded penalties in the final five minutes of the first half as they headed into the break all square at 20-20.

The second half could best be described as an arm wrestle, with the first opportunity for points coming from a long range Edinburgh penalty attempt around the hour mark which fell short. Five minutes later, the Stormers had a chance to get their noses in front, but their shot at goal sailed wide. Neither side would be able to break the deadlock as the teams had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Leinster vs Zebre:

Leinster maintained their unbeaten start to the United Rugby Championship with a comfortable 43-7 home win over Zebre in round 3.

Leinster got off to an ideal start, with a try just two minutes in. Ten minutes later Leinster went over for their second try to make it 10-0. Zebre missed a long range penalty attempt after 34 minutes, with Leinster crossing for their third score to bring the first half to a close with a 15-0 advantage.

Leinster came out firing in the second half, with two tries in the opening five minutes seeing them race into a 29-0 lead. Zebre picked up a yellow card and Leinster capitalised with another try to make it 36-0 with around half an hour remaining. Leinster would bring their try tally for the match up to seven, with Zebre running in a consolation score.

Glasgow Warriors vs Lions:

The Emirates Lions claimed a losing bonus point for an impressive defensive and scrumming performance in a 13-9 Vodacom United Rugby Championship defeat by the Glasgow Warriors on a rainy afternoon in the Scottish city.

The visitors might have taken more from the game after keeping the home team scoreless for an hour from the moment they had opened up a 10-3 lead in the 15th minute.

The Lions’ dominant scrum and maul asked questions that the Warriors toiled to answer, while their vastly improved defensive aggression snuffed out a team that prides itself on its attacking panache.

Cardiff vs Bulls:

A barnstorming second-half performance by the Vodacom Bulls saw them clinch their maiden Vodacom United Rugby Championship victory, 29-19 (halftime 3-16) over Cardiff in the Welsh capital on Saturday night.

After five halves of lacklustre rugby in Europe, the Carling Currie Cup champions finally showed of what they are capable by totally dismantling the Welsh club after the break of their match at Cardiff Arms Park.

Whatever was said in the changerooms at the break clearly had an effect as Marcell Coetzee brilliantly led his troops in one of the best second half comebacks of the season. Their defence was superb, as the Bulls completed 95% of their tackles, while they looked a lot more dynamic and energetic with ball in hand.

Connacht vs Dragons:

Dragons pulled out all the stops in the second half to down Connacht 35-22 on the latter’s home turf.

The Welsh outfit managed four tries while Connacht dotted down twice. Discipline was a significant factor in the match as Dragons slotted three penalties and Connacht, four.