WEIR PROVES THE LAST ACTION HERO

ULSTER 16 EDINBURGH 17

DUNCAN WEIR’S late drop-goal secured a dramatic victory for Edinburgh at the Kingspan Stadium last night as they leapfrogged Ulster into third place in the Guinness Pro14 Conference B table. The sensational effort from Weir, recalled from a loan spell at Worcester Warriors, gives Richard Cockerill’s side the edge on the Irish province in the race for the top three play-offs. With the sides tied 7-7 at half-time, the hosts stretched their lead to 13-7 before Edinburgh, who dominated the second half, came back to clinch the game with the last play. Added to earlier tries from winger Jason Harries and lock Lewis Carmichael — and two conversions from Sam Hidalgo-Clyne — it earned the Scots a precious victory. All Ulster’s points came from scrum-half John Cooney. Ulster opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Cooney scored at the posts following good work from Nick Timoney and Louis Ludik, with Cooney then converting his own score. Edinburgh flanker Viliame Mata came inches short of scoring in the 29th minute only for a double tackle from Rob Herring and Timoney to knock it from his grasp, with Nigel Owens going to the TMO to confirm the ball had been spilt. But the visitors would not be denied and when Hidalgo-Clyne broke clear from his 22, he chipped for winger Harries to beat Tommy Bowe to the touchdown. Hidalgo-Clyne converted to tie the scores after 34 minutes. The half ended with no further score and the sides locked in a tense battle at 7-7. That became 10-7 to Ulster just after the break following a long-range penalty from Cooney. He then kicked a second penalty on 54 minutes to stretch the hosts’ lead to 13-7. But the Scots roared back, with Carmichael smashing through some tiring Ulster tacklers to score in the 62nd minute and Hidalgo-Clyne’s conversion putting Edinburgh into a one-point lead. Three minutes later, though, Ulster regained the advantage through Cooney’s third penalty. But the home side were unable to halt Edinburgh’s incessant pressure and prevent Weir’s last-gasp drop goal. Both sides are on equal points in the table after Ulster, who slipped to fourth, gained a losing bonus point. SCORERS: ULSTER — Tries: Cooney. Cons: Cooney. Pens: Cooney (3). EDINBURGH — Tries: Harries, Carmichael. Cons: HidalgoClyne (2). Drop goal: Weir.