Treviso 12 Ulster 14
Ulster were left hanging on at the end of an unconvincing performance but they managed to claim a 14-12 victory over Benetton in Treviso on Sunday.
Darren Cave and Robbie Diack crossed for Ulster tries in the RaboDirect PRO12 tussle at Stadio Monigo but Ulster struggled to build on those, and four penalties from Treviso outhalf Mat Berquist made it closer than it needed to be come the closing stages.
The visitors brought impressive form with them to Italy, having been beaten just once in their past 10 outings, spanning all competitions.
Against a Benetton side on a five-game losing run, it was hard to see Ulster being pushed close, but they very nearly went down to defeat, having to stave off late pressure as Benetton sought a winning score.
Berquist booted Benetton ahead early on, but once Ulster got their noses in front in the 11th minute, with Cave dashing over and Ruan Pienaar converting, Mark Anscombe’s side were never headed again.
Ulster were careless enough to let Benetton stay in touch, though, giving away a penalty early in the second half that Berquist booted to narrow the gap to 7-6.
Diack burrowed over for Ulster’s second try in the 51st minute, and again Pienaar kicked the two points.
What should have then been a formality for Ulster became anything but as Berquist soon sliced into the lead with a pair of penalties, making for the tense finale that Ulster just about survived.
