URC: Stormers' fast start undone by costly cards in narrow defeat to Ulster

The visitors only had themselves to blame, as two yellow cards and a disastrous red saw them undo all their good work - although they did at least manage to secure two bonus points in defeat.

The Stormers came out firing, stunning the home crowd with a blistering start. No. 8 Evan Roos powered through Ulster's defence to open the scoring in just the second minute, with flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu adding the conversion. The young playmaker was in inspired form, soon slotting a composed drop goal to extend the lead to 10-0.

The Stormers continued their early dominance as Ben Loader sprinted down the right flank for a try, and Feinberg-Mngomezulu's difficult conversion was pinpoint, making it 17-0 inside eight minutes.

But Robert Baloucoune hit back in the 11th minute for Ulster with a superbly taken try in the right corner. The hosts continued to apply pressure, and after sustained attacks, prop Andrew Warwick muscled over in the 29th minute to cut the deficit to five points. Cooney added the conversion to bring the score to 17-12.

Just before halftime, a reckless late challenge by Feinberg-Mngomezulu on Baloucoune saw the Stormers flyhalf sent to the sin bin, giving Ulster a golden opportunity. They capitalized immediately as Jack Murphy crossed the line for their third try, and Cooney's conversion ensured the teams went into the break level at 17-17.

Ulster carried their momentum into the second half and took the lead for the first time when Jacob Stockdale finished a well-executed move. The situation worsened for the Stormers when captain and tighthead prop Neethling Fouche was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle shortly after, reducing them to 14 men for the remainder of the match.

Feinberg-Mngomezulu returned from his sin-bin spell and immediately slotted another drop goal to bring the Stormers back within four points. However, Ulster responded again, with Zac Ward finishing a brilliant break from Stockdale to push the score to 31-20.

Willie Engelbrecht reignited Stormers' hopes with a well-worked try in the 61st minute, converted by Feinberg-Mngomezulu. But Ulster continued to stretch their lead, as Ben Carson sprinted over after a sweeping counterattack. Cooney's conversion extended Ulster's lead to 38-27.

A frantic finish ensued when Roos claimed his second try of the match in the 75th minute, once again converted by Feinberg-Mngomezulu, bringing the visitors within four points at 38-34. The Stormers pressed for a dramatic late winner, but Ulster's defence held firm in the closing minutes to secure the victory.

READ MORE: Stormers John Dobson not rushing back injured Springbok Manie Libbok