Match Reports

Report | Ulster 28 Benetton 8

8th October 2021
Ulster claimed their third win from three games, and secured maximum points after defeating Benetton 28-8 at Kingspan Stadium on Friday evening.

Most of the opening few minutes were played in the middle of the park with neither side having any clear scoring opportunities. Benetton however were first on the board with a Leonardo Marin penalty in the 7th minute.

Some ill-discipline from Benetton inside their own half allowed Ulster and Billy Burns to pin them back for the attacking line-out. Double-centurion, Rob Herring looked to have scored from the Ulster maul but after a TMO check, referee AJ Jacobs deemed it to be no try due to an Ulster obstruction.

Benetton went down to fourteen with Ivan Nemer being sent to the bin for not rolling away, and Ulster capitalised on the man advantage in the 22nd minute. Billy Burns made a beautifully weighted cross-field kick which Craig Gilroy gathered and dotted down for his 67th try.

Ulster struck again just four minutes later, after a nice loop movement between Nathan Doak, Rob Herring and David McCann, allowing the Number Eight through the gap and send Doak through for Ulster’s second. The scrum-half drilled the ball over to convert his try.

Rob Herring got a second bite at the cherry five minutes from half-time, stretching out the arm from the advancing Ulster maul to get the try. Nathan Doak made no mistake with the conversion.

Benetton looked to put early pressure on Ulster in the second half, but again discipline let them down and Ulster were able to eat back into the visitors’ territory. Benetton eventually got out of trouble through a penalty.

The Italian side again tested Ulster’s defences and looked like they might score before Ulster turned the ball over, but it was deemed to be illegally-so and James Hume was sent to the bin. Benetton then pounced through winger, Ratuva Tavuyara in the corner. Marin was unable to land the conversion.

Ulster got themselves into a good position with a scrum, but Benetton forced the penalty against the head and were able to exit from their half. Ulster remained patient, and momentum in the scrum shifted back their way. The hosts went through the phases and Player of the Match, Nathan Doak spotted his chance to go himself to secure the bonus-point in the dying minutes of the game. He took his personal tally to 18 points when he coolly slotted the conversion to see out the game.

Up next for Ulster is Emirates Lions at Kingspan Stadium next Friday evening.

Full-time score: Ulster 28 Benetton 8

Worth Another Look

Player of the Match

Scorers

Ulster

Tries: Craig Gilroy, Nathan Doak (2), Rob Herring

Cons: Nathan Doak (4)

Benetton

Tries: Ratuva Tavuyara

Pens: Leonardo Marin

Line Ups

Ulster

(15-9) Will Addison, Craig Gilroy, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Ethan McIlroy, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak;

(1-8) Andrew Warwick, Rob Herring, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor, Sam Carter (CAPT), Matty Rea, Nick Timoney, David McCann.

Replacements: Brad Roberts, Callum Reid, Ross Kane, Mick Kearney, Sean Reidy, David Shanahan, Mike Lowry, Ben Moxham.

Benetton

(15-9) Rhyno Smith, Ratuva Tavuyara, Marco Zanon, Tommaso Benvenuti, Luca Sperandio, Leonardo Marin, Callum Braley,

(1-8) Federico Zani, Corniel Els, Ivan Nemer, Irné Herbst, Federico Ruzza, Giovanni Pettinelli, Michele Lamaro (CAPT), Braam Steyn.

Replacements: Tomas Baravalle, Cherif Traoré, Tiziano Pasquali, Marco Lazzaroni, Sebastian Negri, Lorenzo Cannone, Luca Petrozzi, Luca Morisi.

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