Zebre end four-year wait for away URC win at Ulster

Ulster (0) 14

Tries: Barrett 2 Con: Doak 2

Zebre Parma (3) 15

With a 15-14 victory over Ulster at Kingspan Stadium, Zebre put an end to a four-year absence from the United Rugby Championship.

In a error-strewn first half, not helped by the soaking and blustery conditions in Belfast, the Italians led 3-0 at the break through Giovanni Montemauri’s penalty.

At the start of the second half, Bautista Staville and Giocomo Da Re stunned Ulster with quick-fire tries.

With 23 minutes left, Ulster’s replacement prop Corrie Barrett burrowed his way over the line, but Richie Murphy’s side was unable to capitalize.

With five minutes left, Barrett crossed the line for his second try of the game to give Ulster a point over Zebre, but the Italians held on to earn a famous victory.

With victory in Belfast, Ulster had a shot at a position in the top eight, but Ravenhill’s first half was poor in terms of quality and errors prevented scoring.

After making a break in his 150th appearance, John Cooney’s side had the best chance to break the whitewash and get the best at it, which Murphy’s side did after winning the game against Exeter in Europe.

The Zebre defense held up the ball after it popped out of the ruck, and the Italians resisted.

After noticing a gap in the Zebre defense inside his own 22, Zac Ward returned the ball to Cooney, who chose to kick through rather than play Ben Carson, who was hurling up in support.

When Montemauri scored a penalty in the 29th minute, the scoreboard finally broke the deadlock, but that was the only other half that the scoreboard moved.

When Staville was fouled early on in Eric O’Sullivan’s tackle, Ulster had a lead, but Tom Stewart was bundled into touch right away from the penalty spot.

Zebre were relieved of their pressure when Staville crossed in the corner at the start of the second half.

When full-back Da Re noticed a gap in the Ulster defense, the situation escalated to worse. Montemauri converted to extend Zebre’s lead.

However, Ulster was successful in reversing the Italian line. Ulster finally made it 2-0 when replacement prop Barrett was able to drive over from close range after a second penalty advantage. Nathan Doak added the conversion.

Zebre came back at Ulster, who could not kick on from Barrett’s try as the error count continued to rise, despite the rain finally relenting in Belfast.

As the visitors fell 11 points clear of Ulster, Mountmauri sent a kickable penalty wide, and Doak sent a close-in penalty wide as Ulster attempted to overtake them.

Barrett’s second try put together a grandstand finish, but Zebre won a penalty with a clock in the red to put the game on its feet and put an end to their 36-game unbeaten run in the URC.

Replacements: C Reid, J Andrew, C Barrett, A O’Connor, Matty Rea, N Doak, J Flannery, R Lyttle.

Zebre Parma: G Da Re, A Gesi, F Paea, D Mazza, S Gregory, G Montemauri, G Garcia, P Bunonfiglo, L Bigi (capt), M Hasa, M Canali, L Krumov, R Nasove, B Staville, G Licata.