Guinness PRO14 wrap: Wins for Zebre and Ulster over Ospreys and Glasgow Warriors

John Cooney was on the score sheet as Ulster registered a critical PRO14 victory over Glasgow

Ulster kept their Champions Cup hopes alive on Saturday with a 36-15 win over Glasgow, while Zebre put Ospreys to the sword in Italy.

Ulster 36-15 Glasgow Warriors

A last-gasp, bonus-point clinching Nick Timoney try ensured Ulster will have at least a Champions Cup qualification playoff match to contend for this season, while also keeping alive their hopes of a PRO14 quarter-final.

Tries from John Cooney, Sean Reidy and a brace from Timoney - the second of which came three minutes into dead time at the end - moved Ulster six points clear of fifth-placed Benetton in Conference B with one game left to play.

Nick Timoney grabbed two crucial tries for Ulster, including the bonus-point score

As such, they are now likely to face off against Ospreys in a Champions Cup playoff match to decide the PRO14's seventh qualifier, though they can still finish third in Conference B provided they beat Muster with a bonus-point at Thomond Park next week and Edinburgh pick up no points against Glasgow.

On Saturday, the scoring began when Cooney hit an early penalty before then spotting a gap and running through Glasgow's defence off the back of the set-piece for the opening try.

The Scottish side are already assured of top spot in Conference A and levelled the scores at 10-10 when Callum Gibbins got on the scoresheet.

Glasgow celebrate after their powerful maul try at the beginning of the second half

Cooney added two more penalties to keep Ulster ahead at half-time but Glasgow closed to within a point when Gibbins got their second try of the night at the back of a powerful maul.

Ulster re-opened that lead shortly after with Timoney getting his first of the match after strong work from Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale in attack out wide, before their soon their pressure told again when Reidy crossed after a prolonged spell of attack.

Sean Reidy grabbed Ulster's third try, which put the game beyond the Warriors

With the game secure, Ulster set about getting that all-important fourth try, and confirmed it with the clock deep into the red via Timoney once more.

Zebre 37-14 Ospreys

Elsewhere on Saturday, Mattia Bellini scored a hat-trick as Zebre claimed a 37-15 win over Ospreys and recorded back-to-back PRO14 wins for the second time this season.

Mattia Bellini notched a hat-trick as Zebre put Ospreys to the sword in Italy

In their rearranged Round 17 fixture, Zebre rose to the occasion against an inexperienced Osprey's side with winger Bellini going over three times to help his team follow up their dramatic 34-32 win over the Dragons last time out.

Second-row George Biagi got Zebre up and running after just eight minutes, dotting down to score as the hosts drove over the line following a lineout.

George Biagi celebrates after going over for Zebre's first try of the day

Bellini scored a brace in quick succession, his first crashing over from short range while he showed his pace for his second when he beat James Hook to a kicked ball into space before collecting and powering over.

Centre Giulio Bisegni scored their fourth to make it 22-0 after 23 minutes before the Ospreys hit back with a try from Sam Cross from a quick-tap penalty.

Giulio Bisegni celebrates his bonus-point clinching score

Ospreys winger Dylan Moss had a try ruled out by the TMO, before a Canna penalty made it 25-7 before Bellini went over for his third.

Replacement centre Gabriele Di Giulio then went over with eight minutes remaining, while Reuben Morgan-Williams hit back a minute later with a second try for the Ospreys, but it was too late and Zebre claimed maximum points.