Trimble wins it for Ulster

Andrew Trimble's late try gave Ulster a first Heineken Cup success of the season as they nicked it 25-24 against Bourgoin.

Just Ulster's second home victory of the season came in dramatic fashion as Trimble crossed the Bourgoin line just two minutes from time to sink the French side.

Neither side had a chance of qualification but the Irish outfit at least restored some pride with a thrilling victory.

French side Bourgoin dominated the first half at Ravenhill and scored tries through Mathieu Nicolas, Florian Denos and Remi Vigmeaux.

Tommy Bowe replied for the province early in the second half and scrum-half Paul Marshall got them right back into the game before Trimble struck with his late heroics, although his side still remain bottom of Pool Two.

Spirit

New coach Matt Williams, who takes over from caretaker coach Steve Williams, will have been pleased by his side's fighting spirit and also with David Humphreys' inspired display.

Ulster were helped by Bourgoin having three players sent to the bin and having to play from the 53rd minute on with only 14 players on the field.

Before then, the visitors had won a try bonus point when Augusto Petrilli had crossed for their fourth try in the 57th minute.

The pick of the first-half tries came in the 20th minute when winger Mathieu Nicolas offloaded cleverly to outfox the Ulster defence before full-back Florian Denos kicked in behind and dived on the ball for the score.

Humphreys kept Ulster in it with two early penalties while Bowe's try, almost immediately after Bourgoin's fourth, was crucial to keep the home side's hopes alive.

Marshall went over on 55 minutes but Ulster struggled to get any further breakthroughs. But, with time ticking away, Trimble went in with just two minutes left.

Humphreys duly kept his cool to nail the conversion and Ulster went away with the thrilling victory.