ULSTER DELIVERED ANOTHER disappointing display that ultimately saw them draw 29-29 with Treviso in the RaboDirect Pro12 at Ravenhill this evening.
The result came despite a convincing performance from Paddy Jackson, which saw him kick 19 points from the boot, in a display that will encourage Ireland boss Declan Kidney after the player’s disappointing showing against Scotland last week.
The Irish side started well, with tries from Andrew Trimble and Stuart Olding enabling them to establish a 17-3 lead.
Yet Dean Budd’s try, which was subsequently converted just before half-time, left the score at 17-10 going in at the break.
A further try from Budd and another from Robert Barbieri gave the Italian side a shock lead, before Jackson kicked some pressure points to restore the hosts’ advantage.
However, Budd’s third try late on drew the sides level, and Ulster breathed a collective sigh of relief when Alberto Di Bernardo missed a conversion in the dying seconds.
However, Jackson can take consolation from his impressive display, as he was successful with seven out of his nine kicks.
There was concern for Ulster elsewhere though, as Ruan Pienaar hobbled off the field towards the end of the match with a suspected ankle strain.
