Rugby Celtic League: Ulster 42 Connacht - 27 Ulster remain on course for a Celtic League and Cup double after collecting a bonus-point victory against Connacht at Ravenhill last night.
Ulster produced a sensational second-half comeback to overturn a 24-15 deficit with a 27-point scoring blitz as Alan Solomons' side maintained their lead at the top of the table with just three games to go.
All eyes were on Queen's University rising star Tommy Bowe, who was making his competitive debut for Ulster. And Bowe (20), a scoring sensation for Ireland's Under-21s this season, did not disappoint, crowning his debut with a 33rd-minute try which gave Ulster the lead for the first time in the contest.
Ulster could not hold on to their lead until the interval however, with Connacht wing Wayne Munn hitting a superb angle to split the home defence for the visitors' second try of the half and McHugh landing his third penalty with the last kick of the half for a 21-15 lead at the break to suggest an upset was on the cards.
A David Hewitt penalty stretched the visitors' lead to 24-15 but Ulster launched a passionate and thrilling comeback, running in five tries in all.
It was Connacht however, who had grasped the early initiative, with a try for Conor McPhillips in the second minute following a midfield burst by Mark McHugh.
The home side levelled soon after, however, Neil McMillan charging down a clearance kick by McHugh, with the flanker touching down in the 11th minute.
Connacht were gifted the opportunity to regain the lead when the home pack were penalised for hands in the ruck from the restart, and the centre converted from 35 metres. Humphreys replied with a bigger effort to see Ulster draw level.
The battle of the boots continued as McHugh landed his second penalty before Bowe's touchdown, following a period of pressure by Ulster, seemed to have set Ulster on their way. Connacht had other ideas and David Hewitt stretched their lead with a 44th-minute penalty.
But Ulster would not be denied. First Humphreys cut the deficit with his second penalty, then Ulster captain Andy Ward barged his way over for his side's third try in the 57th minute. Humphreys converted and he and Hewitt then swapped penalties to set up an enthralling finale.
Ulster made sure and clinched a bonus point in the process when Scott Young collected Neil Doak's chip behind the Connacht defence to score his side's fourth try in the 74th minute.
Paddy Wallace completed the victory by showing great strength to go for try number five, converted by Humphreys.
SCORING SEQUENCE: 2 mins: McPhillips try, 0-5; 11: McMillan try, 5-5; 13: McHugh pen, 5-8; 14: Humphreys pen, 8-8; 22: McHugh pen, 8-11; 33: Bowe try, Humphreys con, 15-11; 36: Munn try, McHugh con, 15-18; 40: McHugh pen, 15-21; 44: Hewitt pen, 15-24; 50: Humphreys pen, 18-24; 57: Ward try, Humphreys con, 25-24; 60: Humphreys pen, 28-24; 64: Hewitt pen, 28-27; 74: Young try, Humphreys con, 35-27; 80: Wallace try, Humphreys con 42-27.
ULSTER: B Cunningham (P Wallace 53); S Young, S Mallon, P Steinmetz, T Bowe; D Humphreys, K Campbell (N Doak 47); R McCormack (R Moore 53), P Shields, S Best, G Longwell (T Barker 40), R Frost, A Ward, N McMillan (N Best 28), R Wilson.
CONNACHT: D Hewitt, C McPhillips, D Yapp, M McHugh (J Meagher 40), W Munn; S Moore (T Robinson 48), C O'Loughlin (M Walls 47); D McFarland, B Jackman (J Fogarty 59), P Bracken (A Clarke 49), D Browne (M McCarthy 59), A Farley, M Swift, T Carter, J O'Sullivan. Sin bin: M Walls 60-70.
Referee: N Owens (WRU)
