Summary

  • Ulster 26-19 Benetton rugby (Result)

  • Rory Telfer and John Andrew score first-half tries for Ulster

  • Onisi Ratave and Federico Zanandrea respond for visitors

  • Nicholas Gasperini try edges Benetton further ahead in second half

  • Scores from Jude Postlethwaite and David Shanahan give Ulster win

Live Reporting

Glenn Kelly

  1. Full-time

    FT: Ulster 26-19 Benetton

    The final whistle sounds and Ulster claim the spoils in their opening pre-season encounter.

    However, they were made to work for the win and Benetton will be happy with their contribution.

    With a host of changes in the second period the game lost some continuity but Richie Murphy will be pleased to get some minutes into his players' legs.

    Another pre-season game awaits away to Exeter next weekend before the opening game of the URC at home to Glasgow in two-weeks time.

  2. Poll-time

    Ulster 26-19 Benetton

    With three minutes remaining can Ulster hold on?

    Thumbs up for yes, or down for no.

    Let's go

  3. try

    Converted Try - Ulster 26-19 Benetton

    David Shanahan (try), Jack Murphy (conv) - 73mins

    Scott Wilson again the catalyst for Ulster's attack.

    The big prop charging through the middle before being hauled down.

    But the ball is recycled quickly and Shanahan is on hand to dot down from the back on the goal-line ruck.

    Murphy steps up to convert from in front of the sticks.

  4. Ulster 19-19 Benetton

    Big carry by replacement prop Scott Wilson 10-metres out from the visitors' try line.

    But the ball is ripped in the tackle and Benetton kick clear.

  5. Ulster 19-19 Benetton

    Ulster give away a sloppy penalty just inside their own half.

    The ball emerges at the back of a Benetton ruck and the Ulster scrum-half McKee just can't resist picking up.

    The Italians look to kick to the corner.

  6. try

    Try - Ulster 19-19 Benetton

    Jude Postlethwaite (try), James Humphreys (conv) - 61mins

    Ulster roar back with a fantastic burst through midfield by Postlethwaite. The big centre weaves his run around the Benetton defence and in under the sticks.

    Substitute fly-half James Humphreys - son of club legend David - converts to tie the game.

  7. Ulster 12-19 Benetton

    Ulster back into the Benetton half now after what seems to be an age.

    The hosts trying to build some territory and win a penalty on halfway.

  8. Ulster 12-19 Benetton

    Ulster just need to get their hands on the ball for a period now.

    Benetton seem to have come out in the second period and ruled the roost.

  9. Ulster 12-19 Benetton

    The visitors now trenched in the Ulster 22. But luckily for the home side, the Benetton replacement hooker is having difficulty finding his man at the lineout and Ulster kick clear.

  10. Replacements

    Ulster 12-19 Benetton

    Ulster make eight changes, with Aidan Morgan and Aaron Sexton two of the men to leave the pitch.

    Zac Ward, fresh from the Olympics Sevens with Ireland, is on. All eyes on him.

  11. try

    Try - Ulster 12-19 Benetton

    Nicholas Gasperini - 47mins

    The pressure tells.

    Another penalty kicked into the Ulster corner and this time the driving maul is a success, with substitute Hooker Gasperini the man to stretch over in the right-hand corner.

    Smith misses with the conversion.

  12. Ulster 12-14 Benetton

    Ulster conceding penalties galore with four given away already

  13. Ulster 12-14 Benetton

    First scrum of second half and Benetton walk through Ulster to force a penalty.

    The visitors kick for touch and it goes deep into Ulster's 22.

  14. Kick-off

    Ulster 12-14 Benetton

    The visitors get the second period underway

  15. Half-time

    HT: Ulster 12-14 Benetton

    The half-time whistle goes and Ulster head to the sheds two-points behind.

    Tries from John Andrew and Rory Telfer looked to have Ulster on their way but the Italians hit back with two scores of their own to leave the game evenly poised.

  16. Ulster 12-14 Benetton

    Benetton are almost in again down the left, with winger Onisi Ratave being a thundering menace all afternoon. He is finally chopped down by a covering Ulster defence and the inside ball goes to ground and Ulster safety.

    The hosts will be hoping to get back up the other end of the pitch before half-time which is a minute away.

  17. try

    Converted Try - Ulster 12-14 Benetton

    Federico Zanandrea (try), Rhyno Smith (conv) - 36mins

    And just like that, Ulster are behind.

    The visitors with a break down the left and a try is saved through some brave defending by Aidan Morgan. But from there the ball is moved right and no.13 Zanandrea is the man that gets over the line after stepping inside a number of defenders.

    Smith steps up to convert.

  18. Replacement

    Ulster 12-7 Benetton

    Early replacement for Ulster, Nathan Doak makes way for Conor McKee at scrum-half.

    Doak doesn't appear to be injured as he trots off.

  19. Ulster 12-7 Benetton

    Ulster more dominant now and exerting a lot of pressure on the Benetton 22.

  20. try

    Try - Ulster 12-7 Benetton

    John Andrew - 26mins

    And Ulster do make it count.

    Powerful maul drive from the Ulster eight, and it is that man Andrew at the base that drops over the line.

    Nathan Doak can only hit the upright with the conversion.