Coetzee’s key after Stockdale sin-bin

ULSTER edged an eight-try classic with a controlled second half display at Kingspan Stadium.

Benetton tested the home side with their powerful ball carrying and creativity and went into half-time level at 21-21 – but Ulster’s fourth try from Marcell Coetzee’s was the key score as Dan McFarland’s side held on to win.

Debutant centre Stuart Moore, who scored in the first-half, said: “This is a strong Treviso side so it was good to get over the line.

“At half time we had to discuss some things, but we really put them to the sword after that.

“It was very exciting. Not a lot of spectators, but in front of 600 we got there.”

Ulster got off the mark when James Hume scored off John Cooney’s chip in the eighth minute. Four minutes later they doubled their lead when Moore finished off a brilliant move.

It seemed as if we were in for an Ulster canter, but Benetton kicked into life in the 23rd minute when Federico Ruzza scored by the posts, although Ulster hit back 12 minutes from the interval when fly-half Michael Lowry scored on the left and Cooney added the conversion for a 21-7 advantage.

But with Stockdale in the sin bin following a high tackle, Paolo Garbisi scored Beneton’s second try quickcly followed over the line by Abraham Steyn. Garbisi converted both to level at 21-21.

Benetton took the lead with a penalty just after half-time but two minutes later Marcell Coetzee put Ulster back in front, while Adam McBurney mauled over the winning try.