RUGBY BRITISH AND IRISH CUP: Ulster Ravens 24 Moseley 26WITH QUALIFICATION for the final stages of the British and Irish Cup already gone, Ulster Ravens ended their campaign with a disappointing fourth defeat in five games.

The side coached by Gary Longwell did at least put up a decent showing against Moseley, at Ravenhill, and, though they scored three tries and managed a losing bonus point, there was no escaping the sense of frustration surrounding their season. The Ravens, who had the returning Darren Cave in their ranks, opened the scoring with an early score from City of Derry’s David Huston and though Connacht-bound Niall O’Connor missed the conversion he extended Ulster’s lead with a 17th minute penalty after Moseley prop Nathan Williams was sent to the bin. Michael Heaney then gave the Ravens a 13-0 lead after the scrum half’s break saw him break down the wing to reach the line. Moseley hit back though when Heaney’s counterpart Ryan de la Harpe got over from close range and his score was converted by Olly Thomas.

Moseley took the lead when winger Nathan Bressington got on the end of great break from Thomas who was then unable to add the extras.

ULSTER RAVENS:J Smith; D McIlwaine, D Cave, M McCrea, C Gaston; N O'Connor, M Heaney; C Carey, J Burns, A Macklin, D Huston, N McComb, D Bradford, D McGuigan, R Diack. Replacements: J Murphy, K McCall, A Whitten, P Pritchard, C Spence, M Allen, R McMaster.

Scorers: Ravens – Try, D Huston, M Heaney, A Whitten; Pen N O'Connor. Moseley – Try, R De la Harpe, A Reay, N Bressington; Con, O Thomas; Pen, O Thomas.