For the second week running Ulster had to dig deep to prevail on Italian soil, writes Kristian Ross
Ulster took the narrowest of wins in Italy for the second time in a week, as a single point was enough to give the PRO12 leaders victory over Benetton Treviso at the Stadio Monigo.
Ulster fell behind after just seven minutes , a good try following a crooked lineout saw decent offloading to allow Brendan Williams to give Treviso an early advantage and a great conversion by di Bernando gave the Italians maximum points from the play.
Mistakes were seemingly costing Ulster however they finally made a decent break with some good passing and Nick Williams managed to get over the line however the TMO adjudged it inconclusive. But it didn't matter as Niall O'Connor was on hand to slot Ulster's first points a minute later with a penalty following Treviso being penalised in the scrum.
And Ulster were smiling when Peter Nelson (pic) got his first try after a great break that saw Paul Marshall offload to the young Ulster full back whose excellent pace sent him over for a great score, and Niall O'Connor sent over a truly brilliant kick to give Ulster the extra two.
But Treviso were back level within a few minutes, Ulster giving away the penalty that saw di Bernado hit a good kick from range to make it 10-10.
With half time approaching, Ulster's line out was sloppy in the Treviso half, and the Ulstermen lacked any sort of flair as well as conceding needless penalties and were lucky not to have conceded any points five minutes before the interval, Treviso knocking on in the Ulster twenty two. But again it started to go awry when Treviso scored another try following more errors after a line out, this time the scorer Ludovico Nitoglia, di Bernando couldn't find the extras, but still the Italian side lead 15-10 at the break.
As the second half began, Ulster realised that a big effort was needed in the second half, less mistakes, and sorting out the lineout. However, Mark Anscombe would have been furious, Ulster making a mess of yet another line out two minutes into the half.
Ulster did well to win a line out against the head in the Treviso twenty two, and were rewarded when the Italians found themselves offside, and Niall O'Connor made it 3 from 3 to get the league leaders back within just two points. Ulster really started to make amends for the poor first half performance with some fluid passing and attacking. Nick Williams again denied a try via the TMO, the second time in the match, but a penalty advantage from the Scottish referee allowed Niall O'Connor to have a shot at the posts, this time pulling it just wide, and the chance to go ahead missed.
Again though, Treviso were penalised and O'Connor attempted to put Ulster in front, and that he did with a superb penalty from distance as the men in white now led by a single point.
As the game moved into the final quarter, Ulster knew a try would give them some breathing space but despite some substantial time in the Treviso twenty two, they were still unable to extend the advantage.
And with eight minutes left, Ulster nerves started to fray even more when they gave away a penalty just over the halfway line that was narrowly missed by Alberto di Bernando. A few minutes later Ulster were lucky not concede another penalty and not see Mike McComish binned after a silly deliberate swipe.
In what had already been a horribly scrappy game Ulster seemingly looked to be coming apart at the seams, and another penalty was awarded to Treviso. The Italian side opted for touch rather than go for goal and it set the game up for a grandstand finish. And when John Afoa came in from the side, Treviso had the penalty and Alberto di Bernando had the chance to win the game for Treviso. Incredibly di Bernando skewed it horribly wide much to the shock of Treviso fans and Ulster finally cleared two minutes later to give themselves an amazing victory under what seemed impossible moments before. 15-16.
On review, Mark Anscombe will be furious. Ulster for the second week in a row almost let slip into Italy through no fault of their own, needless penalties given away, and some serious shoddy line outs. The Ulstermen will count themselves thankful.
On the plus side, Peter Nelson's debut try was another side of things to come, as well as another good kicking performance by O'Connor. So with two wins from two in Italy, the Italian Job is well and truly complete. Next weeks game against high flying Scarlets promises to be a cracker!
As always…Stand Up For the Ulstermen.
I'm Kristian. 18. And my mind is filled with rugby shaped thoughts. Supporting Ulster Rugby, Newcastle Falcons and of course the mighty Ireland. Tommy Bowe is the MAN !!!! SUFTUM.
