In a back and forth match, Ulster weathered a Benetton storm in the second half to pull clear with tries from Jude Postlethwaite and David Shanahan making the difference in the scoreline.
Richie Murphy will be happy with the number of players who got game-time in their legs, with the URC season's opener against Glasgow Warriors only two weeks away.
Michael Lowry captained the team from the start tonight, and it was the full-back who sparked Ulster into the lead.
A lovely line break from the lightning quick back saw him tackled just before the line, shielding the ball for academy winger, Rory Telfer, to pick up and dot down for the first try of the match. Nathan Doak nailed the conversion for an early 7-0 lead.
Five minutes later, the Italians hit back - Fijian winger, Onisi Ratave, nabbing a loose pass in the Benetton 22 and sprinting the length of the pitch to score, despite Aaron Sexton's best efforts to halt him.
Rhyno Smith converted to level the score at 7-7.
Ulster got back in the lead through experienced hooker, John Andrew, who finished off an attacking lineout. The maul was too powerful for the Italians to cope with and that would have pleased Jimmy Duffy in what looked like a well-rehearsed set piece.
Nathan Doak's kick pinged off the post, leaving the score 12-7.
The Italians would come back again, and went into half-time with a two point lead after their centre, Federico Zanandrea, finished off a slick period of attacking play in the Ulster 22.
Rhyno Smith converted the score to send the Italians into a 12-14 lead.
HT: 12-14
After the interval, Benetton started off quickly, forcing Ulster into defending in their 22. A series of penalties gave the away side the attacking impetus. The pressure was costly as a penalty was kicked into the Ulster corner, and replacement prop, Nicholas Gasperini, finished the lineout maul by dotting down in the corner.
Smith's conversion from a difficult angle on the right touchline was missed.
Richie Murphy used his replacements, and made eight changes from the bench. Aidan Morgan took the applause of the home support after his maiden performance at Kingspan Stadium.
Trialist Zac Ward came on for his debut with the home side under pressure from a hungry Benetton side.
Alan O'Connor made a vital contribution in the defence, stealing a lineout which was in a threatening position.
After defending well, Ulster then made inroads into the Benetton half and produced a stunning try from centre, Jude Postlethwaite.
From a lineout around the halfway line, Ulster recycled the ball and after a quick ball from replacement scrum-half, David Shanahan, young back-rower, James McKillop, showed lovely hands to offload into Jude Postlethwaite, who ran a great line and cut through the Italians rearguard.
Replacement fly-half, James Humphreys, nailed the conversion to bring Ulster level at 19-19.
The score gave Ulster a boost of energy after defending for much of the half. Replacement tighthead prop, Scott Wilson, was the driving force behind the winning try.
Wilson made a powerful drive for the tryline before being halted, but the ball was kept alive in the ruck and David Shanahan showed quick thinking from the base to score.
Debutant, Jack Murphy, scored his conversion to put Ulster in the seven point lead with a handful of minutes left on the clock.
The home side held on for their win and that brought to an end a good contest between two competitive sides.
With many players getting valuable minutes in an intense workout, the match will have done the whole squad no harm, as they continue to prepare for the new campaign.
FT: 26-19
#NeverStopCompeting Player of the Match
As voted for by supporters, our academy winger, Rory Telfer, was voted the Bank of Ireland POTM for his performance tonight.
Your #NeverStopCompeting Player of the Match 🙌
— Ulster Rugby (@UlsterRugby) September 7, 2024
Congrats Rory Telfer 👏 pic.twitter.com/B8XBfpHIb1
Scorers
Ulster:
TRY: Telfer, Andrew, Postlethwaite, Shanahan
CON: Doak, Humphreys, Murphy
Benetton:
TRY: Ratave, Zanandrea, Gasperini
CON: Smyth x2
Teams
Ulster
(15-9) Mike Lowry (C), Rory Telfer, Stewart Moore, Jude Postlethwaite, Aaron Sexton, Aidan Morgan, Nathan Doak;
(1-8) Eric O’Sullivan, John Andrew, Corrie Barrett\*, Harry Sheridan, Kieran Treadwell, James McNabney, Sean Reffell, David McCann .
Replacements:
James McCormick, Henry Walker, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Charlie Irvine, James McKillop, Alan O’Connor, Tom Brigg, Marcus Rea, David Shanahan, Conor McKee, Zac Ward, James Humphreys, Ben Carson, Jack Murphy.
Benetton
15 Rhyno Smith<br>
14 Marco Scalabrin<br>
13 Federico Zanandrea<br>
12 Filippo Drago (C)<br>
11 Onisi Ratave<br>
10 Giuliano Avaca<br>
9 Andy Uren<br>
8 Toa Halafihi<br>
7 Matteo Rubinato<br>
6 Giulio Marini<br>
5 Riccardo Favretto<br>
4 Scott Scrafton<br>
3 Riccardo Genovese<br>
2 Siua Maile<br>
1 Destiny Aminu
Replacements:
Enzo Avaca, Federico Pisani, Vittorio Padoan, Nicholas Gasperini, Tiziano Pasquali, Marcos Gallorini, Mattia Midena, Eli Snyman, Nelson Casartelli, Simon Koroiyadi, Nicolò Casilio, Leonardo Marin, Dewi Passarella, Lorenzo Casilio, Marco Zanon.