{"id":20752,"date":"2021-04-04T17:14:54","date_gmt":"2021-04-04T21:14:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=20752"},"modified":"2021-04-05T10:16:36","modified_gmt":"2021-04-05T14:16:36","slug":"ulster-to-face-saints-in-challenge-cup-quarterfinals-after-thrashing-quins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=20752","title":{"rendered":"Ulster To Face Saints In Challenge Cup Quarterfinals After Thrashing ‘Quins"},"content":{"rendered":"

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European Rugby Challenge Cup Round of 16, Twickenham Stoop, London, England 4\/4\/2021 Harlequins vs Ulster Ulster’s Sean Reidy scores a try (\u00a9INPHO\/James Crombie)<\/figcaption><\/figure>Ulster will play Northampton in the quarter-finals of the European Rugby Challenge Cup next weekend after a thumping 57-21 victory over Harlequins at The Stoop.<\/p>\n

The Irish provincial side ran in four tries in the first half and four in the second as they overwhelmed a young and inexperienced Quins side.<\/p>\n

The first try came inside the opening 10 minutes as a break from Robert Baloucoune ended with Stuart McCloskey powering over.<\/p>\n

It was converted by John Cooney, who added a penalty before Ulster crossed for two more tries in quick succession. Both came from driving mauls as Quins\u2019 defense crumbled, Rob Herring and Sean Reidy touching down.<\/p>\n

Cooney converted both to extend the lead to 24-0 with less than half an hour gone.<\/p>\n

Tom Lawday got the hosts on the board with a try after Jordi Murphy had been sent to the sin bin but Ulster grabbed their fourth soon after, Michael Lowry pouncing on a poor clearance.<\/p>\n

It was 29-7 at the break, and the lead was extended shortly before the hour mark as a driving maul again paid dividends, Herring scoring his second try and Cooney converting.<\/p>\n

Next to cross the line was Billy Burns from an interception and, after Jack Kenningham had scored a second try for Quins, Alby Mathewson and Cooney\u2019s conversion brought up Ulster\u2019s half-century.<\/p>\n

The TMO took a look at Ulster\u2019s eighth try but decided an inside pass came off the hands of a Harlequins players as Reidy went over for his second.<\/p>\n

It was a miserable night for the hosts but they at least had the final say, Jordan Els grabbing his first try for the club.<\/p>\n

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