Late Andrew Trimble try saves Ulster against Benetton

A last-gasp 77th minute try from replacement Andrew Trimble along with a critical conversion kicked by Christian Leali'ifano rescued Ulster from defeat as they beat Benetton Rugby 23-22.

Late Andrew Trimble try saves Ulster against Benetton

Ulster 23-22 Benetton: A last-gasp 77th minute try from replacement Andrew Trimble along with a critical conversion kicked by Christian Leali'ifano rescued Ulster from defeat as they beat Benetton Rugby 23-22.

After only leading 13-9 at half-time following an early score from Tommy Bowe, Les Kiss' side struggled against the Italians before finally making it back-to-back wins in the Guinness PRO14 following the autumn break.

Leali'ifano also kicked a second-half penalty while John Cooney kicked two penalties and a conversion in the opening 40 minutes.

Injury-hit Ulster failed to take adequate advantage of a yellow card shown to Benetton winger Andrea Bronzini late in the first half and struggled from there.

Benetton scored one try from Robert Barbieri while man of the match Tommaso Allan kicked four penalties and a conversion while sub Marty Banks added one second half penalty.

The kick-off was delayed as the Benetton team bus was involved in a minor accident, but the Italians were first to score when Allan kicked an early penalty.

He slotted a second nine minutes later before Ulster struck off a lineout maul when Cooney found Bowe on the right and the winger rounded the defence to score.

Cooney's well-struck conversion put Ulster ahead by a point at 7-6. That became 10-6 four minutes later when Cooney hit a long-range penalty.

The Ulster scrum-half missed with his next effort, though, after the Benetton scrum was penalised but Cooney made no mistake on the half hour from close-in after Bronzini was yellow-carded for a high hit on Louis Ludik.

Pic: Sportsfile
Pic: Sportsfile

Allan then missed a 34th-minute penalty but made amends four minutes later when Nick Timoney was penalised at a ruck and the half ended with Ulster leading 13-9.

After a fitful opening to the second half, Allan put the Italians one point behind with a 50th-minute penalty before a mix-up from a Paul Marshall box kick - on his 200th game - saw new cap Schalk van der Merwe pass straight to Barbieri who gratefully accepted the score.

Allan converted the 56th-minute try and Ulster now trailed 19-13. They responded and, after turning down a kickable penalty, Leali'ifano nailed a 63rd-minute penalty from long range.

Banks slotted a 73rd-minute penalty to push the Italians into a 22-16 lead.

With time running out, Ulster came again with Trimble surging over and Leali'ifano adding the critical conversion.

more courts articles

Stephen Bear ordered to pay back profits from sharing private sex tape Stephen Bear ordered to pay back profits from sharing private sex tape
Gary Glitter victim seeking six-figure sum in damages, court told Gary Glitter victim seeking six-figure sum in damages, court told
Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother

More in this section

Jack Carty 25/3/2024 Carty returns to starting lineup as Connacht ring changes for Benetton clash
Jack Crowley 26/3/2024 Rowntree includes returning big guns in Munster side to face Cardiff
England v Chile - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool D - Stade Pierre Mauroy England internationals Kyle Sinckler and Lewis Ludlam set to join Toulon
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited