Ulster claim bonus point URC victory over Benetton in Ravenhill thriller
Ulster 38 Benetton 34
Reuben Crothers celebrates after Jacob Stockdale scores a vital try for Ulster
Crazy stuff, wasn’t it? Even so, Ulster got the job done and with a bonus point as well to give them maximum return in this vital encounter for the province’s play-off hopes.
They scored five tries and conceded the same on an evening no defence coach will remember with glee.
In all the chaos, John Cooney rose to the occasion with aplomb, kicking all five conversions and a penalty and doing so much positive work for the hosts’ cause. He thoroughly deserved his player of the match accolade.
The Italians also didn’t leave empty handed as they took two points from the encounter though they lost fifth place to Ulster ahead of the rest of the weekend’s games.
As with last week the conditions were perfect for in terms of producing a potentially entertaining game though with the pressure on Ulster to produce something of substance this factor may not have been of particular comfort for the under pressure home team as they encountered a Benetton side with notable form behind them.
And with the table favouring the Italians who came into the contest in fifth spot it was imperative that Ulster urgently addressed their position, sitting outside the top eight, and particularly so with only three points separating Richie Murphy’s squad from Benetton and this being their penultimate home match in the regular season.
Benetton who took the field in pink, immediately secured a scrum penalty which looked rather ominous in only the second minute and after multiple phases and gradual encroachment on Ulster territory, the ball was worked out to the wing and Rhyno Smith supplied Tommaso Menoncello who made the corner.
It was a superbly taken score though Jacob Umaga was unable to add the two extra points.
Ulster then worked Jacob Stockdale into space, but the winger’s chip was deftly cleared up by Umaga with Tomas Albornoz delivering a superb clearance kick.
Indeed, the Italians could have been further ahead but for Smith taking the wrong option after skinning several Ulster defenders.
Ulster needed to respond and from a lineout, which went Ulster’s way after a turnover from Harry Sheridan had forced the Italians to clear their lines, John Cooney’s half break and inside offload put Tom Stewart in space and the hooker raced through to score at the posts, allowing Cooney slot the conversion and put the hosts ahead after a quarter of an hour.
And Cooney then came to the rescue in the 22nd minute, his tackle on Marin after the winger had skinned Michael Lowry, saving Ulster’s line.
It saved a try but not the concession of points as shortly afterwards Ulster were pinged at a breakdown and Umaga did the needful on 24 minutes with the penalty.
The Benetton full back then tried from distance in the 28th minute but the ball sailed wide.
Ulster came again and after Cooney was held just short, Ulster recycled with Harry Sheridan just short before Reuben Crothers collected and dotted down for his first try in Ulster colours.
Cooney again converted and Ulster now led 14-8 and then as the half ended the home team struck for their third
This time the ball was worked to Stuart McCloskey on the edge and his chip through eluded two Benetton defenders and bounced into Stockdale’s hands and he was gone.
Cooney’s third conversion brought the half to an end with Ulster leading 21-8 and playing with the sort of direction and confidence which had rarely been seen under Richie Murphy’s guidance.
It augured well for the new half though the home team needed to start it as they had finished off the first 40 minutes.
Menoncello looked as if he was away down the wing with just three minutes on the clock only for Sam Grove-White to call play back for interference, a penalty which saw Lowry miss touch just after Stockdale had departed.
It then got even worse as six minutes in and Addison’s dancing in defence led to a no-look off-load which was hoovered up by Andy Uren and he fed Umaga who ran in for the softest of scores.
The full back failed with the conversion, which was again near the touchline, but Ulster had been fired a warning.
Nevertheless, they worked their way back into Benetton’s half and after moving the ball left, it was spun right with Lowry’s pass finding Addison who made immediate amends as he dived in at the corner for the all-important bonus point.
And, yet again, Cooney nailed the conversion putting Ulster 28-13 ahead.
It should really have been close out time, but the Italians weren’t done and finding acres of space out on the right Toa Halafihi scored Benetton’s third try on 57 minutes with Tomas Albornoz taking over the kicking duties and converting.
Then Lowry needed to be sharp as he hit Albornoz after the out half had made a line break with a score looking on and yet in the blink of an eye the Italians had their bonus point score.
Lowry was tackled near his line, but Benetton then stripped Ulster as they attempted to recyle and Ivan Nemer barrelled through, Albornoz again converting to reduce the home team’s lead to one point.
There was nothing else for it in this see-saw game than another try from the hosts. And it came five minutes later when Cormac Izuchukwu drove over.
Unsurprisingly, Cooney converted again, and Ulster had all-important breathing space which was further extended on 73 minutes when Cooney kicked a penalty.
But it still wasn’t plain sailing as Rob Baloucoune was required to nail a rampaging Umaga with just two minutes on the clock and a score looking on.
And yet it all ended with Albornoz taking a tap penalty to score and convert in the last minute, Luke Marshall being yellow carded.
Mad stuff, but a win and five points gladly banked.
Ulster 38
Tries: T Stewart, R Crothers, J Stockdale, W Addison C Izuchukwu Cons: J Cooney 5 Pens:J Cooney 1
Benetton Rugby 34
Tries: T Menoncello, J Umaga, T Halafih, I Nemer, T Albornoz Cons: T Albornoz 3 Pens: J Umaga 1
Ulster: M Lowry, R Baloucoune, W Addison, S McCloskey, J Stockdale, B Burns, J Cooney, E O’Sullivan, T Stewart, S Wilson, H Sheridan, A O’Connor (capt), D Ewers, R Crothers, D McCann
Replacements: J Andrew for Stewar t74 mins, A Warwick for O’Sullivan 53mins, J French for Wilson 64mins, C Izuchukwu for O’Coonor 64mins, G Jones for Ewers 47mins, D Shanahan for Cooney 76mins, L Marshall for Addison 74 mins, E McIlroy for Stockdale 44mins
Yellow cards: L Marshall 80mins
Benetton: J Umaga, L Marin, T Menoncello, M Zanon, R Smith, T Albornoz, A Uren, T Gallo, G Nicotera, S Ferrari, S Scrafton, E Iachizzi, A Izekor, M Lamaro (capt), L Cannone
Replacements: G Lucchesi for Nicotera 47mins, I Nemer for Gallo 51mins, T Pasquali for Ferrari 51mins, N Cannone for Scrafton 41mins, R Favretto for Cannone 64mins, T Halafihi for Lamaro 47mins, A Garbisi for Uren 54mins, F Drago for Zanon 76mins.
Yellow cards:
Referee: S Grove-White (SRU)
It was a much better display than last Friday - and a hugely entertaining game. Stick with us for a match report from Michael Sadlier
His on the end of an inch perfect pass from Mike Lowry. He rushes in at the corner.
It's the bonus point
