URC: Ulster scream home over Benetton as Snyman seals Leinster victory

ULSTER DOMINATE SECOND HALF TO THRASH BENETTON

Ulster peeled off 35 unanswered second-half points as they turned a slender deficit at the break into a comprehensive 47-13 victory over Benetton.

Seeking to get back to winning ways after losing at the Lions before the international break, Ulster went ahead through Robert Baloucoune and Werner Kok tries, with the latter converted.

They trailed 13-12 at the break as Bautista Bernasconi touched down and Jacob Umaga added the extras before the Benetton fly-half also split the posts with two penalties in the first half at the Affidea Stadium.

However, James Hume’s converted try restored Ulster’s lead, and it was one-way traffic from then on.

Kok and Baloucoune both claimed their second scores of the night, sandwiched by a penalty try and Harry Sheridan dotting down, as Ulster claimed an impressive bonus-point victory.

Ulster’s fourth win in five matches moves them up to third in the table, while Benetton remain 10th after a fourth defeat in six outings.

Points Flow Chart

Ulster win +34

Time in lead

62

Mins in lead

11

76%

% Of Game In Lead

13%

50%

Possession Last 10 min

50%

7

Points Last 10 min

0

LEINSTER RALLY TO SEE OFF STRUGGLING DRAGONS

Dragons are still awaiting their first win of the United Rugby Championship season after Leinster hit back from 7-5 down at half-time to triumph 24-10 at Rodney Parade.

Alex Soroka touched down early on to put the visitors in front but they were briefly reduced to 14 men on the half hour when Diarmuid Mangan was sent to the sin bin for repeated infractions.

Matthew Screech made sure the Dragons capitalised on their man advantage as he burrowed over under the posts after persistent pressure, with Tinus de Beer adding the extras to give the home side the lead.

Leinster then spent a few minutes with just 13 players on the field as Scott Penny was yellow-carded but they hit back in the second half thanks to a double in the corner from Josh Kelly.

Angus O’Brien’s penalty made sure Dragons were just a converted score away, but RG Snyman’s breakaway score two minutes from time secured a bonus-point victory for Leinster.

Luke McGrath became the third Leinster player to be sent to the bin late on, but it had no consequence on the result as Dragons crashed to a fourth defeat of the season.