On Friday evening 5th placed Benetton were the visitors to Kingspan Stadium to face 10th placed Ulster. Both sides needed to claim a win in their fight to finish in the top 8, in the United Rugby Championship, to qualify for the European Champions Cup next season.
Ulster got off to a poor start conceding a Tomasso Menoncello try after 6 minutes, to put Benetton 5-0 up.
Ulster settled and replied on 16 minutes when Player of the Match John Cooney fed Tom Stewart to dot down under the posts. Cooney’s conversion gave Ulster a 7-5 lead.
Jacob Umaga‘s 24th minute penalty goal restored Benetton’s lead at 8-7 before Reuben Crothers burrowed over. Cooney’s conversion had Ulster 14-8 up after 33 minutes.
On the stroke of halftime Jacob Stockdale was put away and ran in from 40 metres to score, beside the posts. Cooney converted and Ulster led 21-8 at halftime.
Umaga’s try, after 47 minutes reduced the deficit to 13-21, before Will Addison‘s 50th minute try, out wide, on the right and Cooney’s conversion moved Ulster out to 28-13.
Benetton responded with tries by Toa Halafihi, 56 minutes, and Ivan Memer, 63 minutes, both converted by Tomas Albornoz to bring Benetton back to 27-28.
Ulster steadied the ship. Cormac Izuchukwo‘s try on 67 minutes, converted by Cooney, and a 74th minute penalty goal by Cooney put Ulster 38-27 up.
Benetton had the last say when Albornoz took a quick penalty, to score under the posts. His conversion pulled Benetton back to 34-38, as the final whistle sounded.
After Friday’s and Saturday’s results Ulster move up to 7th place, ahead of Benetton on points difference. Ulster may rue the concession of a try bonus point and losing bonus point, come the end of the season.
