ULSTER HAD TO withstand a strong second-half comeback from Treviso but managed to claim a second successive Pro14 win in northern Italy.
The home side were 0-14 down at the break but rallied and cut the gap to seven points late on but left themselves with too much work to do.
It was Andrew Trimble who had put Les Kiss’ side in control with a pair of tries in the opening period.
12 years to the day since his very first appearance for the province, the winger got Ulster off to the dream start after just 10 minutes when he picked up a loose ball and raced in under the posts with scrum-half John Cooney adding the conversion.
On 26 minutes, Ulster doubled their lead as Cooney broke into the Treviso ’22 before he cleverly offloaded to Trimble, who took an inside line and touched down. Cooney added the extra points and the guests were easing towards victory.
Just after the hour mark, Jacob Stockdale took advantage of Cooney’s charge-down and grabbed Ulster’s third try while Cooney, again, obliged with an excellent conversion.
But, shortly after, Treviso cut the deficit as second-row Frederico Ruzza went over and Ian McKinley successfully converted.
Inside the last 10 minutes, McKinley himself touched down in the corner and added a further two points from the subsequent placed ball.
But, there was no rousing finale as Treviso failed to get another meaningful chance and, following their win over the Cheetahs last weekend, Ulster held on to maintain their 100% record.
For the Italians – who have not won against an Irish side since April 2016 – it was their first back-to-back defeat since March.
Treviso scorers:
Tries: Frederico Ruzza, Ian McKinley
Conversions: Ian McKinley (2)
Ulster scorers:
Tries: Andrew Trimble (2), Jacob Stockdale
Conversions: John Cooney (3)
Benetton: J Hayward; A Esposito, A Sgarbi (cap), T Allan, T Benvenuti; I McKinley, T Tebaldi; F Zani, L Bigi, S Ferrari; M Lazzaroni, F Ruzza; F Minto, S Negri, W Douglas.
Subs: E Makelara, C Traore, T Pasquali, M Barbini, A Steyn, G Bronzini, E Gori, M Zanon
Ulster: L Ludik; A Trimble (capt), T Bowe, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; C Lealiifano, J Cooney; C Black, R Herring, W Herbst; R Diack, K Treadwell; M Rea, S Reidy, J Deysel.
Subs: J Andrew, A Warwick, R Ah You, P Browne, C Henry, D Shanahan, P Nelson, L Marshall
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Ulster remain unbeaten but just about hold off spirited second-half Treviso comeback
Benetton Treviso 14
Ulster 21
ULSTER HAD TO withstand a strong second-half comeback from Treviso but managed to claim a second successive Pro14 win in northern Italy.
The home side were 0-14 down at the break but rallied and cut the gap to seven points late on but left themselves with too much work to do.
It was Andrew Trimble who had put Les Kiss’ side in control with a pair of tries in the opening period.
12 years to the day since his very first appearance for the province, the winger got Ulster off to the dream start after just 10 minutes when he picked up a loose ball and raced in under the posts with scrum-half John Cooney adding the conversion.
On 26 minutes, Ulster doubled their lead as Cooney broke into the Treviso ’22 before he cleverly offloaded to Trimble, who took an inside line and touched down. Cooney added the extra points and the guests were easing towards victory.
Just after the hour mark, Jacob Stockdale took advantage of Cooney’s charge-down and grabbed Ulster’s third try while Cooney, again, obliged with an excellent conversion.
But, shortly after, Treviso cut the deficit as second-row Frederico Ruzza went over and Ian McKinley successfully converted.
Inside the last 10 minutes, McKinley himself touched down in the corner and added a further two points from the subsequent placed ball.
But, there was no rousing finale as Treviso failed to get another meaningful chance and, following their win over the Cheetahs last weekend, Ulster held on to maintain their 100% record.
For the Italians – who have not won against an Irish side since April 2016 – it was their first back-to-back defeat since March.
Benetton: J Hayward; A Esposito, A Sgarbi (cap), T Allan, T Benvenuti; I McKinley, T Tebaldi; F Zani, L Bigi, S Ferrari; M Lazzaroni, F Ruzza; F Minto, S Negri, W Douglas.
Subs: E Makelara, C Traore, T Pasquali, M Barbini, A Steyn, G Bronzini, E Gori, M Zanon
Ulster: L Ludik; A Trimble (capt), T Bowe, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; C Lealiifano, J Cooney; C Black, R Herring, W Herbst; R Diack, K Treadwell; M Rea, S Reidy, J Deysel.
Subs: J Andrew, A Warwick, R Ah You, P Browne, C Henry, D Shanahan, P Nelson, L Marshall
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Andrew Trimble Guinness Pro14 Job Done Les Kiss Benetton Treviso Ulster