Nathan Doak captained the side that included Irish Internationals Baloucoune, Marshall and Timoney. With Stewart and Treadwell, both who were part of the initial Rugby World Cup Ireland training squad, also included amongst the replacements along with new Ulster signing, Dave Ewers.
The opening exchanges were mostly dictated by the home side, coming close with a very early opportunity which found them held up over the Ulster line. A couple of good turnovers from Ulster provided the visitors with a few opportunities of their own to try and develop some territory, but on the first occasion a wayward clearance kick drifted out on the full.
Another Ulster turnover saw Reuben Crothers demonstrating some twinkle toes to avoid the touchline, allowing Nathan Doak to find grass with his clearance, setting up a line out opportunity for the Ulster men. This chance disappeared as quickly as it came, with Ulster penalised for an infringement setting up their driving maul.
Benetton then worked themselves into a good position with some quick hands down the narrow side, but they fumbled the ball only five metres from the line. Doak’s clearance from the set piece was charged down, but Ulster were able to clear cleanly with a goal-line drop out. Ulster worked hard to prevent the Italians from counter attacking, but a penalty for holding on presented them with the chance to kick to the corner.
With 16 minutes played, the home side crossed the line for the first time, via a strong driving maul, hooker Bautista Bernasconi the beneficiary. Umaga’s conversion was missed.
Ulster looked to respond with some good movement across the attacking line, but a knock on gave Benetton a scrum where they squeezed out a penalty. Ulster were able to disrupt the resultant line out, and see off this threat. Both teams tried to get their attack moving, but simple handling errors from both sides, and an injury to Luke Marshall meant neither team could grab any momentum moving through the first quarter.
With just under half an hour played, the Ulster pack were awarded a penalty from a midfield scrum. Jake Flannery was able to put the Ulster men into the corner, where they looked to play. Good carries from Curtis, Timoney, Warwick and Crothers allowed the team to get onto the front foot before Flannery put in a clever chip to Timoney who worked hard to power over the line. The conversion was missed so the scores were tied.
This was the boost Ulster needed and were able to take control of the next few passages of play. Doak put in great clearance, before Ulster picked up a couple of penalties, first in defence and then in attack. Ulster built a familiar maul but the Italians handled it well, meaning Ulster had to move the ball. Some quick hands and a fantastic offload from Jude Postlethwaite saw Shea O’Brien finish in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful again, but Ulster had the lead.
However, it would be Benetton who would go in at the break ahead. Joaquin Riera split the Ulster defence, putting Onisi Ratave away for their second try. Umaga was successful with the conversion.
HALF TIME Benetton 12-10 Ulster
Ulster started the second half with a number of changes, looking to give all members of the travelling squad some time in the game. Early changes included the introduction of Dave Shanahan, Tom Stewart, and the new man - Dave Ewers.
Immediately it was one of the changes, Dave McCann, who powered his way over to regain the lead for Ulster in this back and forth game. Jake Flannery took over the kicking duties, but he was also unable to convert.
Ulster will be disappointed with the next period. From a stolen line out, Benetton were able to find space out wide, before making in-roads up the middle. They spotted space down an undefended blindside, before Onisi Ratave crossed for another try. The conversion put the score at 19-15, with much of the half still to play.
Ulster’s penalty count was beginning to add up, but the defence was operating more efficiently. The next fifteen minutes continued with Benetton putting in some big hits as Ulster put together some good attack, but still showing some pre-season rust.
With the Italian’s finding space in behind, Ulster found themselves under some pressure. But, the combination of Tom Stewart and Kieran Treadwell at the line out, allowed Ulster to build a good platform to move away from danger.
After some kick tennis, a couple of the Ulster forwards found themselves in the back field, but they looked assured, with Ben Carson using some footwork to avoid the oncoming chasers before John Andrew made significant metres counter attacking from a loose ball. He was able to find Aaron Sexton who attempted a kick and chase but the home side covered it well.
With the game moving into the final quarter, Benetton found themselves a man down after the referee wielded his yellow card. Ulster made no mistake in using the man advantage with Ben Carson powering his way over the line after the maul did the initial donkey work. Flannery converted and Ulster were back ahead, 19-22.
Ulster were unable to deal with a high ball, and found themselves offside from the next play. Benetton rolled up their sleeves and powered over with a dominant maul. Even without the conversion, they were back ahead. A final penalty against Ulster allowed Benetton to see out the game and claim the victory.
FULL TIME Benetton 24-22 Ulster
Scorers
Benetton
Tries: Bernasconi, Ratave (2), Izekor
Cons: Umaga (2)
Ulster
Tries: Timoney, O'Brien, McCann, Carson
Cons: Flannery
Line-ups
Benetton
(15-9): Rhyno Smith, Onisi Ratave, Joaquin Riera, Marco Zanon, Matteo Minozzi, Jacob Umaga, Andy Uren;
(1-8): Mirco Spagnolo, Bautista Bernasconi, Tiziano Pasquali, Gideon Koegelenberg, Eli Snyman (Captain), Alessandro Izekor, Giulio Marini, Henry Stowers.
Replacements: Lapo Frangini, Destiny Aminu, Enzo Avaca, Filippo Alongi, Marco Lazzaroni, Edoardo Iachizzi, Riccardo Favretto, Santiago Ruiz, Nicolò Casilio, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Tomas Albornoz, Ignacio Mendy, Filippo Drago, Dewi Passarella, Marcus Watson, Matthias Douglas, Giuliano Avaca.
Ulster
((15-9): Shea O’Brien, Rob Baloucoune, Luke Marshall, Angus Curtis, Ethan McIlroy, Jake Flannery, Nathan Doak (Captain);
(1-8): Callum Reid, John Andrew, Andy Warwick, Cormac Izuchukwu, Harry Sheridan, Matty Rea, Reuben Crothers, Nick Timoney.
Replacements: Cameron Doak, Tom Stewart, Ben Griffin, Kieran Treadwell, Joe Hopes, Dave Ewers, Dave McCann, Lorcan McLoughlin, Dave Shanahan, Conor McKee, Aaron Sexton, Ben Carson, Jude Postlethwaite, Stewart Moore.