Jackson shines, but Ulster held

Ulster 29 Treviso 29

A last-minute try by hat-trick hero Dean Budd saw the Italians grab a richly-deserved draw against the long-time leaders of the RaboDirect, who have now been reeled in by Glasgow, who grabbed a bonus-point win against Cardiff Blues.

Treviso were three points to the good within a couple of minutes, thanks to the boot of their fly-half Fabio Semenzato.

However, it was the visitors’ try-line that was breached first in the 19th minute when Trimble crashed through to score under the posts. Jackson converted and then confidently stroked over a penalty eight minutes later.

Treviso were further punished when replacement hooker Tommaso Iannone was binned after holding back the lively Trimble and youngster Stuart Olding then sidestepped his way through the visitors’ defence to score, with Jackson knocking over the extras.

In the run-up to half-time, Iain Henderson was yellow-carded and only a big tackle by Olding prevented Doppies La Grange from crashing over. However, the pressure finally told and flanker Budd swept in at the corner with Semenzato converting.

Ulster’s half-time advantage was stretched to 10 points when Jackson stroked over his second penalty in the 46th minute. However, a yellow card for lock Lewis Stevenson changed the flow of the game with blindside Robert Garbieri breezing over. Semenzato converted to make a three-point game with 25 minutes remaining.

Jackson was spot-on with another penalty after 57 minutes, but a comedy of errors allowed Treviso sneak into the lead in the 64th minute as flanker Budd grabbed his second try. Semenzato’s conversion gave his side a one-point lead.

Then came Jackson’s big moment. From 28 metres his first attempt veered left of the posts, but with Ludovico Nitoglia charging too early he was allowed a second chance from which he split the posts. Another penalty saw Ulster lead by five before Treviso swept upfield again with Budd scoring an unconverted try in the corner to grab a share of the spoils.

Scorers for Ulster: A Trimble, S Olding try each; P Jackson 2 cons, 5 pens.

Scorers for Treviso: R Budd 3 tries; R Barbieri try; F Semenzato 3 cons, pen.

ULSTER: R Andrew; A Trimble, D Cave (Cochrane, 25), S Olding, M Allen; P Jackson, R Pienaar (O’Connor, 73); J Afoa, R Herring, D Fitzpatrick (Black, 56), L Stevenson, D Tuohy (McComb, 71), I Henderson, M McComish, R Diack.

TREVISO: B Williams; L Nitoglia, L Morisi (Iannone, 15), D La Grange, G Toniolatti (Derbyshire, 52); A Di Bernardo, F Semenzato; A De Marchi (Muccignat, 65), F Sbaraglini (Roux, 57), Maistri (Fuser, 57), L Cittadini, V Bernabo, C Van Zyl, R Barbieri (Filippucci, 65), D Budd, C Loamanu.

Referee: A McMenemy (SRU).