Benetton have secured a bonus point 34-19 win over Ulster this evening at the Stadio Monigo in Treviso. An impressive bonus point win for Benetton meanwhile Ulster suffer their second defeat in a row to Italian sides.
The Italian side outscored the visitors four tries to three and faultless goal-kicking from flyhalf Tomas Albornoz helped to extend his side's winning margin as Ulster were punished for woeful indiscipline during the second half.
It was a pulsating clash in the first half and only two points separated the sides at the halftime break.
Benetton scored two tries from Matt Gallagher and Ignacio Mendy, however, Ulster scored three tries from Nathan Doak, Jacob Stockdale and Mike Lowry to give them a narrow 19-17- lead at the halftime break.
After a sparking display from both sides before the break, the second half has been more of an arm wrestle. Both sides struggled to exert themselves in the second half, reflected by the lack of points scored.
However, Mirco Spagnolo and Alessandro Izekor notched further tries for the hosts in the second half to secure a bonus point win on a disappointing night for Richie Murphy's men.
Scorers:
Benetton Rugby: Tries: Matt Gallagher, Ignacio Mendy, Mirco Spagnolo, Alessandro Izekor. Conversions: Tomas Albornoz (4). Penalties: Tomas Albornoz (2).
Ulster Rugby: Tries: Nathan Doak, Michael Lowry, Jacob Stockdale. Conversions: Nathan Doak (2).
Teams:
Benetton Rugby: 15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Ignacio Mendy, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Marco Zanon, 11 Matt Gallagher, 10 Tomas Albornoz, 9 Andy Uren, 8 Toa Halafihi, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Alessandro Izekor, 5 Eli Snyman (c), 4 Giulio Marini, 3 Giosué Zilocchi, 2 Siua Maile, 1 Thomas Gallo. Replacements: 16 Bautista Bernasconi, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Tiziano Pasquali, 19 Riccardo Favretto, 20 Jadin Kingi, 21 Simon Koroiyadi, 22 Nicolò Casilio, 23 Leonardo Marin.
Ulster Rugby: 15 Stewart Moore, 14 Michael Lowry, 13 James Hume, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Aidan Morgan, 9 Nathan Doak, 8 David McCann, 7 Nick Timoney (c), 6 Matty Rea, 5 Cormac Izuchukwu, 4 Alan O’Connor, 3 Tom O’Toole, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Jacob Boyd. Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Bryn O’Connor, 18 Scott Wilson, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Reuben Crothers, 21 Dave Shanahan, 22 Jake Flannery, 23 Jude Postlethwaite.