Ulster withstand late Sharks attack to book URC home quarter-final
Ulster's 24-21 win over the Sharks in their United Rugby Championship meeting in Belfast on Friday night has secured a home berth in the quarter-finals.
Dan McFarland's side were easing towards victory until the visitors notched two tries in the final four minutes to set-up a tense finale at the Kingspan Stadium.
The province held a handsome advantage by 17 points courtesy of tries from Michael Lowry, Stuart McCloskey and James Hume.
However replacement Grant Williams was the catalyst for a late Sharks surge.
Having put in a comfortable display for 75 minutes, Ulster nearly saw victory snatched from their grip, but held on and can now finish no lower than fourth.
They currently sit second, three points clear of Munster and the Stormers - both of whom play their final regular season matches on Saturday.
The result gives Ulster a huge shot in the arm as they followed up their crucial away win over Edinburgh at the end of last month with another vital victory.
The first half performance was much better than their last home outing against Munster, as they remained composed in attack and proved more than a match for the Sharks up front.
On a pitch that held five of the starting South Africa side from the 2019 World Cup final, including two back rows in Siya Kolisi and Duane Vermuelen, it was Ulster's Nick Timoney who was the biggest performer.
The flanker claimed two first half penalties to quell the Sharks' two most dangerous attacks and carried with authority throughout in a varied attacking display from the hosts.
Billy Burns' twice placed kicks over for Ethan McIlroy, who swallowed them up on both occasions.
Pursuing some sort of win to bank a top-four finish, it was Ulster who came out of the traps faster after the half-time interval with McCloskey pulling clear on a perfect line before bulldozing through Aphelele Fassi for a triumphant second try.
Everything seemed to be running with Ulster. Despite finally having their defensive lock picked, Ulster seemed to remain calm, and indeed clawed back their 17-point lead just two minutes later when Robert Baloucoune escaped on the right and fed John Cooney who unleashed Hume.
The Sharks, themselves searching for a home quarter-final, did not go without a battle, as Williams jinked through the Ulster defensive ranks and found Marius Louw to finish on 76 minutes.
Even then, Ulster enjoyed a 10-point lead that appeared unlikely to be scaled. However one deft released over, saw Williams collect and run the length of the pitch.
Time was Ulster's biggest ally at this stage but, and one midfield turnover brought the contest to a close and there was both a collective sigh of relief and euphoria in the home stands.
Ulster: Lowry, Baloucoune, Hume, McCloskey, McIlroy, Burns, Cooney; Warwick, Herring, O'Toole, O'Connor, Henderson (Capt.), Rea, Timoney, Vermeulen.
Replacements: Andrew, O'Sullivan, Milasinovich, Treadwell, Rea, Doak, Moore, Lyttle.
Sharks: Fassi; Kok, Am, Louw, Mapimpi; Bosch, Hendrikse; Nche, Mbonambi, du Toit (Capt); van Heerden, Hugo; Kolisi, Venter, Buthelezi.
Replacements: Vuuren, N Mchunu, K Mchunu, Andrews, Labuschagne, Notshe, Williams, Chamberlain.