John Cooney stars as Ulster do just enough to get by Benetton

Greg Jones, right, and Will Addison of Ulster celebrate. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile

United Rugby Championship: Ulster 38 Benetton Rugby 34 

Ulster did just enough to earn themselves a crucial victory, bagging maximum points in their drive to secure a place in the URC’s play-offs.

John Cooney was the star and scored 13 of the total from five conversions and a penalty as well as having a hand in two more tries and pulling off some score-saving tackles.

Five minutes in and Benetton opened their account, a sweeping move off a scrum penalty resulting in Tommaso Menoncello touching down in the corner.

It stayed at 5-0 as Jacob Umaga was unable to convert from the touchline from what was a difficult angle.

Ulster looked shaky and unsure of themselves but then hit back on 15 minutes when a lineout was secured and the ball moved into midfield, allowing the lively John Cooney break and feed the supporting Tom Stewart who ran over unopposed.

Cooney converted and Ulster now led.

Umaga put Benetton back in front with a 24th minute penalty but couldn’t land a long-range effort and from there the Italians gradually lost the initiative they had held in the opening part of the game.

Ulster, though finished the half in style. After Cooney was held just short, Ulster recycled with Harry Sheridan held before Reuben Crothers collected and touched down.

Cooney converted and Ulster now led 14-8 and with confidence now in their ranks they were the ones who finished the half with a flourish.

The ball was worked to Stuart McCloskey who was out on the left wing and his chip bounced into Stockdale’s hands.

Cooney’s third conversion brought the half to an end with Ulster leading 21-8.

It was Benetton who struck first in the new half, Umaga Toa Halafihi scoring their third try on 46 minutes after a mix-up involving Addison.

But then Addison got in at the corner for Ulster’s bonus point try on 50 minutes, Cooney again converting.

It was over to the Italians again, Toa Halafihi scored Benetton’s third try on 57 minutes with Tomas Albornoz taking over the kicking duties and converting.

Next Ivan Nemer barrelled through, Albornoz again converting to reduce the home team’s lead to one point.

Five minutes later when Cormac Izuchukwu drove over. Unsurprisingly, Cooney converted again, and Ulster had all-important breathing space which was further extended on 73 minutes when Cooney kicked a penalty.

But the Italians were anything but finished, Albornoz taking a tap penalty to score and convert in the last minute, Luke Marshall being yellow carded.

Ulster scorers: Tries: T Stewart, R Crothers, J Stockdale, W Addison C Izuchukwu Cons: J Cooney 5 Pens: J Cooney 1 

Benetton Rugby:  Tries: T Menoncello, J Umaga, T Halafih, I Nemer, T Albornoz Cons: T Albornoz 3 Pens: J Umaga 1

Ulster: M Lowry, R Baloucoune, W Addison, S McCloskey, J Stockdale, B Burns, J Cooney, E O’Sullivan, T Stewart, S Wilson, H Sheridan, A O’Connor (capt), D Ewers, R Crothers, D McCann Replacements: J Andrew for Stewar t74 mins, A Warwick for O’Sullivan 53mins, J French for Wilson 64mins, C Izuchukwu for O’Coonor 64mins, G Jones for Ewers 47mins, D Shanahan for Cooney 76mins, L Marshall for Addison 74 mins, E McIlroy for Stockdale 44mins 

Yellow cards: L Marshall 80mins 

Benetton: J Umaga, L Marin, T Menoncello, M Zanon, R Smith, T Albornoz, A Uren, T Gallo, G Nicotera, S Ferrari, S Scrafton, E Iachizzi, A Izekor, M Lamaro (capt), L Cannone Replacements: G Lucchesi for Nicotera 47mins, I Nemer for Gallo 51mins, T Pasquali for Ferrari 51mins, N Cannone for Scrafton 41mins, R Favretto for Cannone 64mins, T Halafihi for Lamaro 47mins, A Garbisi for Uren 54mins, F Drago for Zanon 76mins.

Yellow cards:

Referee: S Grove-White (SRU)