Cooney sparkles as Ulster hammer Kings
ULSTER left Southern Kings still looking for their first win in the Guinness Pro14 this season after running out convincing 42-17 winners at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The Irish side needed a big response after the Cheetahs put more than 60 points on them last week and Dan McFarland’s men ran in five tries in the opening 31 minutes to effectively put the game to bed, although Tertius Kruger and Aston Fortuin responded for the hosts.
John Cooney’s brace for Ulster sandwiched efforts from Luke Marshall, Rob Herring and Matt Faddes, with Sean Reidy crossing in the second half.
Cooney also kicked all six conversions, with Demetri Catrakilis adding a penalty and a conversion for the South Africans.
Impressive scrum-half Kieran Hardy scored two of his side’s eight tries as Scarlets continued their unbeaten start to the Pro14 against Zebre at Parc y Scarlets.
Tries from Hardy (two), Josh Macleod, Ryan Conbeer, Taylor Davies, Jonny McNicholl (2) and Josh Helps, and 14 points from the boot of Dan Jones and Angus O’Brien helped Scarlets to a one-sided 54-10 victory.
Zebre’s points came from a try for hooker Marco Manfredi and five points from the boot of Michelangelo Biondelli.
South Africa and Bulls lock Juandre Kruger made his Scarlets debut after signing a short-term deal to cover World Cup absentees.
Meanwhile Glasgow Warriors accounted for visiting Cardiff Blues on a 17-13 scoreline with tries from Callum Gibbins and Nick Frisby.
Sam Parry scored a hattrick of tries as Ospreys held off a late rally at home to Benetton before triumphing 24-20.