Zebre 27-23 Ulster: Irishmen shocked by Italian comeback
Last Updated: 30/09/17 6:36pm
Ulster suffered a surprise Guinness PRO14 defeat as they came unstuck 27-23 against Italian opponents Zebre at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi.
Despite leading at the interval, Ulster conceded 21 second-half points and had to be content with a losing bonus point.
Zebre took an early lead through Carlo Canna's penalty, but Ulster responded with an Andrew Trimble try that John Cooney converted.
A second Canna strike narrowed the gap, but Ulster appeared to have a degree of breathing space by half time as two Cooney penalties opened up a 13-6 advantage.
Zebre, though, began the second period in blistering fashion - with flanker Giovanni Licata claiming a try that Canna converted, then wing Mattia Bellini posted a touchdown converted by Marcello Violi.
Ulster had it all to do entering the final quarter, but although a Cooney penalty narrowed the gap, Zebre made the game safe when No 8 Renato Giammarioli scored his team's third try, with Violi again adding the extras.
The visitors then had the final say through a Darren Cave try that he also converted, but it was a case of too little too late.
