Ulster scrap past Aironi
Ulster claimed the points with an unconvincing 23-10 victory over Magners League whipping boys Aironi at Ravenhill.
Last Updated: 04/03/11 9:22pm
Ulster claimed the points with an unconvincing 23-10 victory over Magners League whipping boys Aironi at Ravenhill.
This was Ulster's fourth victory of the season over the Iatlain side, but they were made to work hard for the win by a spirited display from the visitors.
Early tries from prop Tom Court and winger Craig Gilroy in the opening quarter set up a possible bonus point victory, but a dogged Aironi fought back.
However, a Luke Marshall try and five points from the boot of fly-half Ricardo Bocchino couldn't prevent them from losing their 16th straight Magners League match.
Ulster opened the scoring after three minutes with Court burrowing over from close range.
Ruan Pienaar missed the relatively simple conversion, but they weren't to be denied for long, when back-row Chris Henry off-loaded out of the tackle for Gilroy to touch down, Pienaar this time adding the extras.
Their lead was then extended further by a penalty from the Ulster stand-off, but Aironi managed to register their first points of the evening when Bocchino put over a penalty.
The Italians got themselves firmly back into the game when a lovely move ended in full-back Marshall touching down, Bocchino converting, leaving them five points down at half-time.
The second period started as the first ended with a spell of Aironi pressure and that led to lock Johann Muller being sin-binned.
But being a man down seemed to concentrate Ulster minds and Pienaar kicked them two scores ahead, before a converted Declan Fitzpatrick try sealed the win.
