It took a while to get going but eventually Ulster showed why they’re first and Zebre last, writes Kristian Ross…
Normal service resumed at Ravenhill but Ulster Rugby made hard work of it as the grabbed an all important bonus point against bottom of the table Zebre.
Ulster who were on the receiving end of a defeat by Ospreys a week before in Belfast knew that this challenge would be a lot easier, and showed intent very early in the game, a Luke Marshall charge down, and Darren Cave was unable to chase the egg down before it went over the dead ball line.
It took Ulster over seven minutes to get into there rhythm, and Chris Cochrane looked to have went over in the corner, however the TMO ruled that his foot was in touch. But just seconds later Ulster had their try when Rob Herring crashed over for his first try in a white jersey following a poor overthrown line out by Zebre. Ruan Pienaar had no problem in adding the extras and Ulster knew it was one out of four.
However the Ulstermen knew that letting Zebre back in wasn't an option, and some good work by Zebre get them see the a penalty, but Daniel Halangahu's effort dropped short of the posts. Ulster were making hard work of it though, and were still unable to find a second score, and it was Zebre who were able to register their first points, Halangahu's easily slotting the kick from a short distance, but it was the only thing that showed all night for Zebre's efforts.
The job wasn't even half done yet, and the clock was ticking ever closer to half time, and the elusive second try was finally grasped when Darren Cave found Robbie Diack with a brilliant pass that saw the number 8 put Ulster even further in front. It was a rare miss for Ruan Pienaar though, his conversion skewing well wide.
As the second half began Ulster knew they were halfway to a bonus point, young Iain Henderson was denied a try via the TMO after the ball was adjudged not to have touched the base of the post, and pressure in the Zebre half amounted to nothing.
Finally the breakthrough was made once again Darren Cave with another brilliant offload to Robbie Diack once again, and Ulster were underneath the posts for a guaranteed seven pointer. Just one more try to get.
It took a lot of resilient defending by Zebre and after what seem an eternity, Ricky Andrew scored his first try in Ulster colours following some quick passing after the scrum to give Ulster the BP, and South African scrum half Pienaar added yet another two points to his collection to finish it off for Ulster.
In terms of looking forward to Friday, it's a huge game, Glasgow Warriors having handed the biggest defeat ever to the Newport Gwent Dragons entertain Ulster at Scotstoun, and it's first vs second in the PRO12.
Ulster will look to finish off Glasgow and take chances asap; it took a while for them to get going against Zebre, and at times the play seemed a bit lacklustre, but in the end they got the job done. In terms of performance, Darren Cave was superb, and once again showed that he is worthy of an Ireland call up, but as always it seems to be, he's been overlooked by Declan Kidney. However two people who weren't overlooked are Luke Marshall and Paddy Jackson, who will both won their first caps and who may now feature in the rest of Ireland's 6N campaign, so a chance for Stuart Olding to feature heavily at fly half.
The PRO12 is starting to enter the final phases, it's growing more interesting every week, and the Warriors know a win next week on home turf means Ulster's lead at the top will be reduced massively. However Ulster know a win in Scotland will not only give them another handful of points under Mark Anscombe, but it may be the final nail in the coffin, and the word uncatchable might be thrown around....
One thing remains... The battle starts from now. And 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.
