Ulster get bonus-point win over Italians

Ulster 27 Benetton Treviso 0

Ulster opened their Heineken Cup campaign with a bonus point win at a packed Ravenhill, but had to wait three minutes from time to secure maximum points ahead of next week’s Pool Four clash at Biarritz.

Ulster dominated the game up front but struggled to impose themselves against a well organised but, ultimately, very limited Treviso outfit.

Having Justin Fitzpatrick and Roger Wilson sent to the sin bin hardly helped Ulster’s cause, but coach Mark McCall will have plenty to ponder after a largely scrappy and lacklustre effort from the home side.

Despite the overall performance, five points is what the home side required if they are to make any inroads towards qualifying.

Treviso battled but, even with Alessandro Troncon’s presence, they produced an effort riddled with errors.

After being wide with an earlier effort, David Humphreys set the Ulster ball rolling after five minutes after Treviso were penalised for pulling down a scrum.

With the Italian pack under increasing strain at scrum time, Ulster upped the ante and got their reward after the home side won an attacking lineout in the Treviso 22, allowing Isaac Boss to make ground.

Ulster kept the ball alive through several phases and Wilson dived over for the score which Humphreys converted to give the home side a 10-0 lead after 19 minutes.

Their lead could have been extended four minutes later had James Topping noticed Andrew Trimble in space after the winger had drawn the Treviso cover and that missed opportunity was the prelude to a turning point in the half as referee Jean-Pierre Matheu’s issuing of yellow cards dominated the remainder.

Two minutes before the half hour, Fitzpatrick was sent to the bin after grappling with Silvio Orlando and Salvatore Costanzo while the former wrestled with Neil Best on the ground.

Ulster survived the 10 minutes unscathed but, two minutes after Fitzpatrick’s return, Wilson was shown yellow for holding on to the ball after a trademark burst.

Then, right at the end of the half, Treviso hooker Allori Augusto was also sent on his way by Mr Matheu reducing both sides to 14 men for the opening period of the second half.

Once restored to full strength, Ulster took control of proceedings but had still had difficulty getting quality possession and getting through the Italians’ defence.

Neil McMillan had a 53rd minute try disallowed for a double movement. Three minutes later Ulster finally made a lineout take and drive count when Neil Best was driven over. Humphreys failed to add the points.

With the game seemingly petering out into an increasingly error-strewn encounter, Ulster suddenly upped the tempo and with five minutes remaining McMillan surged over the line from another lineout drive which Humphreys brilliantly converted.

With the bonus point on offer, some Treviso dithering allowed Trimble to intercept and Kevin Maggs was put clear.