ULSTER STARS STILL PERFECT

ROB HERRING crowned his 200th appearance for Ulster with a try as they maintained their perfect start to the season with a third bonus point win on the trot in the United Rugby Championship.

But it was teenager Nathan Doak who stole the show with a brace of tries in only his second start for a side which his father Neil graced as a scrum-half and coach.

Ulster were on top for most of this contest at Kingspan Stadium as Benetton, looking for only their second win in 20 clashes with Ulster, never looked like extending their winning start to the new season.

Ulster led 21-3 at the break after dominating the opening half. Leonarda Marin got the Italians off the mark after seven minutes with a penalty, but Dan Mcfarland’s men bossed matters after that.

Herring got over after 16 minutes but was whistled back after David Mccann was adjudged to have obstructed, but the reprieve was short-lived for Benetton as Craig Gilroy collected a crosskick from Billy Burns to move second in the all-time top scorers in the league with his 58th try.

Doak converted and then got through to score himself after being set up by Mccann three minutes later.

And Herring finally got through to mark his milestone with his 26th try when he drove over after another lineout move.

Doak again landed the difficult conversion from the left as the 19-year old academy player continued to impress in another big performance in only his fifth appearance, having made three off the bench since his debut earlier this year.

But Benetton weren’t prepared to roll over in Belfast without a fight and they got back in contention at the end of the third quarter when Ulster centre James Hume was binned for not rolling away and Fijian winger Ratuva Tavuyara made them pay when he drove through Gilroy and Doak to score in the left corner and cut the gap to 21-8.

Ulster battled back and mounted a succession of drives at the Benetton line in the closing stages but while several forwards were held up short, Doak spotted a gap to squeeze through and secure the bonus point for Ulster to go top of the table and a second successive man of the match for the scrumhalf from Lisburn.

ULSTER: Tries: N Doak (2), C Gilroy, R Herring. Cons: Doak (4). BENETTON: Try: R Tavuyara. Pen: L Marin. Con: Flood. Pens: Flood 3.

TRY Craig Gilroy celebrates scoring with James Hume