Ulster claim first interpro championship victory in 11 years

Ulster 36-14 Connacht

There were joyous scenes at Musgrave Park as Ulster won their first Vodafone Women's Interprovincial Championship match since 2012, beating Connacht 36-14 to finish third overall for this season.

Try-scoring captain and player of the match Beth Cregan said her team were able to "shut down Connacht and show the type of running rugby that we play", as a superb six-try performance saw them avenge last week's five-point defeat.

Leading this play-off tie from start to finish, Ulster built a 14-0 interval lead as Rachel McIlroy crossed early on and India Daley added a second try, showing exactly why she has been called up to train with the national squad.

Ireland international Brittany Hogan was having a big influence up front as Murray Houston's charges outplayed a Connacht team that had started the campaign with a famous victory at home to Leinster last month.

Despite Taryn Schutzler picking up a yellow card, Ella Durkan's intercept try just after the restart kept Ulster on course. Lily Brady opened Connacht's account but Cregan responded with a 54th-minute bonus point effort.

Niamh Marley's terrific individual try preceded a consolation score from Connacht replacement Orla Dixon, but first-year head coach Houston watched on with great pride when Aishling O'Connell crashed over in the final minute.

Ulster's last Interpro triumph was away to Connacht back in December 2012 (18-5) when current coaches Grace Davitt and Amy Davis were on the team. Their best result in recent seasons was a 12-all draw with Connacht from two years ago.

Ulster piled on the early pressure with their back row particularly prominent as ball carriers. That direct play, coupled with McIlroy's quick passing from ruck to ruck, led to the