Ulster and Stormers share spoils in dramatic draw

Breaking news from the world of sport: Ulster and Stormers share spoils in dramatic drawImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ulster were denied a home victory by a late Stormers penalty tryByNigel RinglandBBC Sport NI Senior JournalistPublished10 minutes agoUlster (21) 38Tries: Kok 3, Ward, Lowry, O’Sullivan Cons: Doak 4 Stormers (17) 38Tries: Roos, Feinberg-Mngomezulu 2, Khan, penalty try Con: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 4 Pen: Feinberg-MngomezuluUlster and Stormers produced an enthralling 38-38 draw in a United Rugby Championship game that featured 11 tries and a controversial ending at the Affidea Stadium. It was a result with which neither side will be completely satisfied, 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.

Match Details

But, upon further review, Doak was penalised for shoulder to head contact, received a yellow card, and a penalty try was awarded. End-to-end action in the first halfImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Kok scored a hat-trick, including two similar tries in the first halfUlster 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 lineout 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.

The news for Ulster did not get any better when Jack Murphy was forced off the pitch for assessment with what looked like a bad concussion. He would later return, but not before Stormers took full advantage with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu breaking two would-be Ulster tacklers in midfield to score the second try for the league leaders. The South African centre was enjoying his first half as he then added a penalty to increase their advantage.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.