Benetton stage second-half comeback to beat Ulster
Ulster scored three first-half tries but were undone by a trio of yellow cards
- Published
United Rugby Championship
Benetton (17) 34
Tries: Gallagher, Mendy, Spagnolo, Izekor Cons: Albornoz 4 Pens: Albornoz 2
Ulster (19) 19
Tries: Doak, Lowry, Stockdale Cons: Doak 2
Ulster failed to score a point in the second half as three yellow cards hampered their efforts in a 34-19 loss to Benetton.
The province scored three first-half tries through Nathan Doak, Mike Lowry and Jacob Stockdale and led 19-10 after 30 minutes.
But David McCann, Nick Timoney and Stewart Moore were all sent to the sin bin in the second half as the hosts fought back to claim a bonus-point win.
Ulster have lost seven of 11 games in the United Rugby Championship (URC) this season and sit 14th in the table.
With Irish internationals Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale and James Hume all back from injury for Ulster, Simon Easterby also released Rob Herring and Cormac Izuchukwu from Six Nations camp.
Prop Tom O'Toole also returned from a six-game ban and a bolstered Ulster side made a strong start to the contest.
There were only five minutes on the clock when Doak touched down at the base of the posts from close range after a spell of pressure.
A sharp line-out move from the visitors minutes later looked set to open the Italian side up again but instead produced a levelling try.
Timoney palmed the ball down for a charging Stockdale to create the line-break but Ulster forced the offload and Matt Gallagher hacked forward three times to go down the other end and score.
Argentina international Tomas Albornoz added the extras but would have a hand in Ulster restoring their lead as his pass was picked off by Lowry who went over untouched.
Despite losing Izuchukwu to injury, Ulster extended their lead when the returning Stockdale exchanged possession with Doak and stepped inside Benetton's covering defence to mark his comeback with a try.
Ulster's discipline was wavering, however, most especially at scrum time. And it was from a quick penalty after a Lowry knock-on that Benetton grabbed their second score through Ignacio Mendy just before half-time.
Ulster fail to score in second half
Nathan Doak's try had given Ulster a great start but they did not score after the 30th minute
Referee Craig Evans lost patience with Ulster's lack of discipline shortly after the restart and sent back row McCann to the bin.
However, with Timoney especially prominent during the period and Aidan Morgan providing a key turnover, Ulster survived with their two-point lead in tact.
Their discipline did not improve and Timoney was yellow carded only minutes after McCann's return for a high tackle on Toa Halafihi.
From the resulting penalty, Albornoz kicked the first points of the half to nudge his side ahead. Ulster were temporarily down to 13 when Moore's knock-on was judged to be deliberate and he too was shown a yellow card.
Two men down, they were overpowered as Mirco Spagnolo went over from close range.
After Timoney returned, Ulster thought they had reduced the arrears through Matty Rea only for the score to be chalked off for an illegal clear-out by O'Toole.
Instead, the impressive Alessandro Izekor would score the game's final try with his powerful finish enough to ensure Benetton banked the bonus point to go along with their victory.
Line-ups
Benetton: Smith; Mendy, Fekitoa, Zanon, Gallagher; Albornoz, Uren; Gallo, Maile, Zilocchi; Marini, Snyman (capt); Izekor, Zuliani, Halafihi.
Replacements: Bernasconi, Spagnolo, Pasquali, Favretto, Kingi, Koroiadi, Casilio, Marin.
Ulster: Moore; Lowry, Hume, McCloskey, Stockdale; Morgan, Doak; Boyd, Herring, O'Toole; O'Connor (capt), Izuchukwu; Matty Rea, Timoney, McCann.
Replacements: Andrew, O'Connor, Wilson, Treadwell, Crothers, Shanahan, Flannery, Postlethwaite.
Referee: Craig Evans (WRU)