Bradley Roberts “Goosebumps” on his first start for Ulster.

I spoke to try scorer Bradley Roberts on his first start for Ulster, who was clearly in fantastic spirits after a big win and a big contribution. “It was epic”, Roberts said of his first game with a large crowd at Kingspan “First proper game with fans, it was class”.

Ulster had the biggest crowd they had been allowed for quite some time. With the terraces operating at 75% it felt like normality again and from the noise of the crowd you could tell everyone was enjoying it. As was Roberts. When asked about running out to Stand Up For The Ulster Men for the first time with a big crowd he said “Goosebumps as soon as you went out there, you can’t be anything but ready for the game”. There’s no question that Ulster feed off the fans massively and last night was the first time they were able to do so in quite some time.

By Robert’s admission “It was a tough old game”, Glasgow never gave up the cause, fighting to the last moments but Ulster’s defence held strong. Despite the challenge Ulster “Got it done in the end”. In his first Match in the URC Roberts finished by saying “Good way to start the season with a win”. Ulster have stamped their authority on the competition in the very first match in no small part to Brad’s contribution and 5 points.

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Last night Ulster claimed the spoils against a strong Glasgow side, winning 35-29.

Ulster were first to get on the scoresheet as a maul, looking strong and moving well was brought down illegally and the referee went under the posts. 7 points were immediately awarded as the ref saw a penalty try fit.

Glasgow replied with George Horne shooting up the wing and getting over for 5 unconverted points.

Ulster’s second try came from a maul, this time unimpeded rolled confidently over the line for Bradley Roberts to touch down. John Cooney’s sure-fire kicking proved once again; the two points were added.

Glasgow clinched the lead going into halftime, scoring with the clock in the red. Johnny Matthews went over for 5 points, with the 2 added.

The lead was quickly reclaimed by Ulster in the second half with Marty Moore touching down for 5 with the conversion added by Nathan Doak.

Not long after Billy Burns chipped a perfectly weighted ball, as is his signature, over to Stockdale who was brought down but he was able to keep play flowing allowing Timoney to thunder over the line. Doak, in Cooney’s absence, again added the 2.

Addison made a break after a skilful charge down, a clever bit of football and recollecting, sent Doak over with a tipoff just shy of the line.

The last score of the game came from Glasgow but Ulster held them out through waves of pressure for the last 15 minutes in a big defensive shift to secure the win.