Academy graduates dominate Ulster line-up in win over Zebre

Ulster scored seven tries but wasted a lot of opportunities.

Ten of Ulster’s starters came through the Academy under Kieran Campbell’s tutelage and the former Irish scrum half is set to leave his post to take up a job in England with Ealing Trailfinders.

Ulster got their first try after 12 minutes with hooker John Andrew being propelled over from a driving maul after the home side kicked a penalty to the corner, John Cooney added the conversion.

Ulster lock Kieran Treadwell gave away a penalty at the restart, allowing out half Paolo Pescetto to open Zebre’s account.

Ulster wasted numerous chances in the Zebre 22 and the Italians squandered a good opportunity when they had a pass picked off close to the Ulster line.

Zebre’s replacement hooker Marco Manfredi was red carded for making contact with Cooney’s head with his elbow.

Ulster again spurned a chance to score when Stewart Moore glided through but threw the try-scoring pass to Rob Lyttle into touch.

Ulster finally made their pressure count in the final minute of the first half as Michael Lowry finished off a slick handling move for the home side’s second try. Cooney’s conversion gave Ulster a 14-3 half-time lead.

As Zebre had no hookers they had to go to uncontested scrums, meaning another player had to be sacrificed and the Italians had to play the whole of the second half with 13 men.

Ulster wrapped their bonus point up with two quick tries from Robert Baloucoune and Jordi Murphy five minutes after the restart.

Murphy got his second try on 61 minutes as he was driven over from a line out maul after Ulster kicked a penalty to the corner and Lowry converted.

Rob Lyttle was next to take advantage of the huge gap in the Zebre defensive line, he fielded a cross kick from Lowry and raced away for a converted try.

Zebre were held up twice over the Ulster line as they had a sustained period of pressure.

South African replacement hooker Brad Roberts rounded off the victory with Ulster’s seventh try in the last minute as he sprinted over from long range, with Lowry converting.

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