Pienaar inspires Ulster to victory

Charles Piutau, Stuart McCloskey and loosehead Kyle McCall all touched down in a breathless first half, despite Les Kiss' side playing their first game for a month. Openside flank Chris Henry marked his return to secure the bonus-point win in the second half with a Louis Ludik charge down sealing the win.

Kristian Dacey's first-half score followed by tries from Willis Halaholo and Alex Cuthbert gave the Blues hope but it wasn't enough to prevent a fifth defeat in six outings.

Elsewhere, Connacht continued their fine run of home form as they ran in seven tries against the basement side Benetton Treviso to win 47-8. Tom McCartney's first half double and scores from Danie Poolman and Denis Buckley secured a try bonus-point before half-time and a commanding 28-3 lead for the hosts.

John Cooney, Quinn Roux, and Jack Carty completed the scoring as Connacht eased home, meaning Braam Steyn's try for Treviso was no more than a consolation.

Meanwhile, Scarlets have now won seven successive games as Jonathan Evans went over for two of five tries in a 31-24 win at Zebre. Heading to Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Scarlets had won six games in a row, while Zebre were still awaiting their first win at home this season.

But early on it looked as though fortunes might be reversed as the boot of Carlo Canna had the home side 9-7 in front. However, that was as good as it got for the Italians as Aaron Shingler and DTH van der Merwe added to Evans' earlier Scarlets score.

And after the break Aled Davies and Evans grabbed a second, before Zebre showed their fighting spirit by going over themselves late on through Federico Ruzza and Giovanbattista Venditti, with a Canna penalty at the death earning them a losing bonus point.

In the final match of the day, Leinster kept up the pressure on pacesetters Munster and Ospreys with a bonus-point victory over Newport Gwent Dragons to cut the gap to points difference. A marauding first half saw Peter Dooley and Ross Molony cross in the space of two minutes, with Jack Conan's score completing an emphatic first half.

Joey Carbery dotted down just a minute into the second period to complete the bonus point, though Pat Howard ensured the Dragons were not out of the fixture heading into the final stages. And with Sarel Pretorius adding some bite for the Dragons, a purple patch saw them finish with a flourish, the South African ensuring the game closed out with a 28-15 scoreline.

All Saturday's scores and scorers!

Connacht 47-8 Benetton Treviso

The visitors started well, probing for an early try on the Connacht five-metre line after Jake Heenan was stripped of the ball but while the home side's defence stood firm they were pinged and Ian McKinley made it 3-0 from the tee.

Connacht forced a turnover and then a penalty deep in Italian territory. With Marnitz Boshoff kicking to the corner, the decision to turn down a routine three points was justified when McCartney rumbled over on 12 minutes to give the hosts the lead. Cooney making no mistake with the conversion.

But while Cian Kelleher immediately saw yellow after accidentally taking out McKinley in the air, Pat Lam will have been thrilled to see his side absorb Treviso's pressure for the duration of his time on the sidelines.

Buckley got in over the ball to win a vital turnover on 23 minutes, which led to Connacht's second try of the afternoon. Bundee Aki found Nepia Fox-Matamua and the Kiwi-born flank's beautiful flicked pass was gratefully grasped by Poolman who ran in to score, with Cooney nailing the conversion again.

Things went from bad to worse for Treviso as Simone Ferrari saw yellow for persistent fouling at the breakdown and just after the half-hour mark, John Muldoon was just held up after crossing the whitewash.

But Connacht's pressure told and they got their reward when McCartney doubled his tally for the afternoon in the right corner. And the Galway outfit had their try-bonus point before the interval as Kelleher, Cooney and Aki put the ball through the hands for Buckley to score.

Cooney's flawless kicking continued as he converted both to make it 28-3 at the interval and while Treviso stabilised slightly after half-time, Connacht were over again 10 minutes into the second half.

A brilliant training ground move off the back of a line-out just outside the Treviso 22 saw Poolman come off his wing and offload for Cooney to score under the posts. Roux added try number six from a five-metre scrum moments later.

Lam rang the changes for the hosts around the hour mark and Treviso began to threaten when they won a penalty at scrum-time. After setting up a five-metre rolling maul, knocked the ball on over the line on 65 minutes.

But just a minute later the Italians got their first try for their efforts, using their strength up front to drive Connacht back over the line and Steyn touched down at the back of the scrum. McKinley's conversion attempt was unlucky to hit the right post and there was still time for Carty to go over for Connacht's final try of the afternoon under the sticks.

Scorers:

For Connacht:

Tries: McCartney 2, Poolman, Buckley, Cooney, Heffernan, Carty

Cons: Cooney 4, Boshoff, Carty

For Benetton Treviso:

Try: Flammini

Pen: McKinley

Yellow cards: Cian Kelleher (Connacht, 15); Simone Ferrari (Treviso, 29); Vittorio Flammini (Treviso, 72)

Teams:

Connacht: 15 Tiernan O'Halloran, 14 Cian Kelleher, 13 Bundee Aki, 12 Stacey Ili, 11 Matt Healy, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 John Cooney, 8 John Muldoon (captain), 7 Jake Heenan, 6 Nepia Fox-Matamua, 5 James Cannon, 4 Quinn Roux, 3 Conor Carey, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Denis Buckley.

Replacements: 16 Dave Heffernan, 17 JP Cooney, 18 Dominic Robertson-McCoy, 19 Sean O'Brien, 20 Eoin McKeon, 21 Caolin Blade, 22 Jack Carty, 23 Rory Parata.

Benetton Treviso: 15 David Odiete, 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Michael Tagicakibau, 12 Alberto Sgarbi (captain), 11 Luca Sperandio, 10 Ian McKinley, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Marco Barbini, 7 Roberto Santamaria, 6 Abraham Steyn, 5 Marco Fuser, 4 Marco Lazzaroni, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Davide Giazzon, 1 Alberto De Marchi.

Replacements: 16 Luca Bigi, 17 Federico Zani, 18 Matteo Zanusso, 19 Nicola Quaglio, 20 Vittorio Flammini, 21 Edoardo Gori, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Andrea Pratichetti.

Referee: Ian Davies (Wales)

Zebre 24-31 Scarlets

Zebre hosted Scarlets having never beaten then in eight attempts but took an early lead thanks to a third-minute drop goal from Canna. The hosts had started brightly and a kick in behind from centre Tommaso Boni looked to get them in behind but Hadleigh Parkes managed to get to the ball first.

Canna then sent over a penalty just outside the Scarlets 22 to double Zebre's lead but on 12 minutes the Welsh side nudged ahead as scrumhalf Evans stole the ball and raced away to dot down, Rhys Patchell adding the extras.

However the home side were not rolling over and midway through the half Canna sent over another drop goal to restore their lead. But while Zebre were struggling to trouble the try-line, their visitors were having no such trouble as Shingler went over for the Welsh side's second of the first half on 33 minutes.

Good hands from Tadhg Beirne and van der Merwe saw the flank go over, with Patchell adding the extras once again. And Scarlets had their third try just before the break, this time van der Merwe went over following some slick handling, with Patchell converting for a 21-9 half-time lead.

Five minutes after the restart Scarlets had the bonus point secure as Jonathan Davies broke away before fullback Aled Davies finished the move off, Patchell failing with his kick for the first time in the game.

And five minutes later the Welsh side were celebrating again as Evans went over for his fifth of the season following a fortunate bounce and Scarlets' fifth of the afternoon. To Zebre's credit they never gave up, but a forward pass following a line-out on the Scarlets 10-metre line halted their progress on the hour mark.

However, they did have a try on 64 minutes as a long Canna pass to Edoardo Padovani saw No.8 Ruzza go over for a converted score. And with 10 minutes left, the home fans were on their feet again as Venditti went over, with Canna's late penalty earning the home side a losing bonus point.

Scorers:

For Zebre:

Tries: Ruzza, Venditti

Con: Canna

Pens: Canna 2

DGs: Canna 2

For Scarlets:

Tries: J Evans 2, Shingler, van Der Merwe, Thomas

Cons: Patchell 3

Teams:

Zebre: 15 Dion Berryman, 14 Mattia Bellini, 13 Tommaso Boni, 12 Tommaso Castello, 11 Giovanbattista Venditti, 10 Carlo Canna, 9 Marcello Violi, 8 Andries Van Schalkwyk, 7 Johan Meyer, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys (captain), 3 Dario Chistolini, 2 Tommaso D'Apice, 1 Bruno Postiglioni.

Replacements: 16 Carlo Festuccia, 17 Andrea De Marchi, 18 Guillermo Roan, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Valerio Bernabò, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Matteo Pratichetti, 23 Edoardo Padovani.

Scarlets: 15 Aled Thomas, 14 DTH van der Merwe, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Hadleigh Parkes (captain), 11 Steff Evans, 10 Rhys Patchell, 9 Jonathan Evans, 8 Will Boyde, 7 James Davies, 6 Aaron Shingler, 5 Tom Price, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Wyn Jones.

Replacements: 16 Emyr Phillips, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Samson Lee, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Josh Macleod, 21 Gareth Davies, 22 Dan Jones, 23 Gareth Owen.

Referee: David Wilkinson (Ireland)

Cardiff Blues 22-35 Ulster

Despite Ulster boasting much of the early ball, it was the hosts who first ticked over the scoreboard, Steve Shingler needing just four minutes to find his range for a side missing Sam Warburton through illness.

And it could have got better for Blues too as Tom James found room on the left after a wonderful Shingler pass, only for Piutau to hold his own and bundle his man to touch. But from the first meaningful attack, rewards came, Ulster pinning the home defence right on their line, 11 phases of pressure proving its worth as Piutau dotted down for his second try in Ulster colours.

With Blaine Scully by this point in the sin-bin, Ulster's numerical advantage came to the fore, McCloskey dancing his way through the defence to make the most of wing Craig Gilroy's break. Pienaar's conversion extended the lead to 11 but the South African was not done there, charging down a kick to allow McCall to power over from short range.

Only Zebre and Benetton Treviso had conceded more than the Blues' 27 tries before Round 10, and with three against their name in quick succession, Danny Wilson's side had to find form fast.

And they did exactly that with the last play of the half, brilliant footwork from Reynold Lee-Lo setting up Kristian Dacey to bundle over, the deficit 8-21 at the break.

It was Blues' momentum that carried into the second period with a superb break down the right seeing Cuthbert denied by a high Iain Henderson tackle, enough to see the Ulsterman in the sin-bin.

Yet with Luke Marshall following suit after Henderson's return, it was Ulster next on the scoreboard, a wonderful break from Tommy Bowe saw quick ball to the left, Henry crossing under pressure from Matthew Morgan to bring the bonus point.

Nick Robinson almost single-handedly brought his side back, delivering two delicious passes for Halaholo and Cuthbert to dot down within minutes of each other, the jitters certainly present in the Ulster squad.

That was until a second charge-down try sealing the deal, Ludik profiting to touch down for the Irish province's fifth try in an entertaining clash in Wales, Pienaar maintaining his excellent form with the boot.

Scorers:

For Cardiff Blues:

Tries: Dacey, Halaholo, Cuthbert

Cons: Robinson 2

Pen: Shingler

For Ulster:

Tries: Piutau, McCloskey, McCall, Henry, Ludik

Cons: Pienaar 5

Yellow cards: Blaine Scully (Cardiff Blues, 4); Iain Henderson (Ulster, 42); Luke Marshall (Ulster, 58)

Teams:

Cardiff Blues: 15 Blaine Scully, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Willis Halaholo, 11 Tom James, 10 Steve Shingler, 9 Lloyd Williams, 8 Josh Navidi, 7 Sam Warburton, 6 Ellis Jenkins, 5 Josh Turnbull, 4 George Earle, 3 Taufa'ao Filise, 2 Kristian Dacey, 1 Gethin Jenkins (captain).

Replacements: 16 Matthew Rees, 17 Rhys Gill, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Jarrad Hoeata, 20 Macauley Cook, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Nicky Robinson, 23 Matthew Morgan.

Ulster: 15 Charles Piutau, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Luke Marshall, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Craig Gilroy, 10 Brett Herron, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Sean Reidy, 7 Chris Henry, 6 Iain Henderson, 5 Franco van der Merwe, 4 Pete Browne, 3 Wiehan Herbst, 2 Rob Herring (captain), 1 Kyle McCall.

Replacements: 16 John Andrew, 17 Andy Warwick, 18 Rodney Ah You, 19 Kieran Treadwell, 20 Clive Ross, 21 Paul Marshall, 22 Louis Ludik, 23 Darren Cave.

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)

Leinster 28-15 Newport-Gwent Dragons

After a tight opening between the sides, it was a moment of magic that brought Leinster their first points of the evening, with Luke McGrath the architect. The scrumhalf elected to take a quick tap penalty, Dooley eventually the man to profit to crash over with 12 minutes on the board.

And it was to get better just minutes later, McGrath again at the heart of the action when offloading to Hayden Triggs, the ball finding its way over to Molony to dot down as Leinster came out of the blocks firing.

Angus O'Brien pulled a penalty back for the Welsh region to reduce the gap to 14-3 but moments after Tom Daly came on for his debut, Jack Conan stole the plaudits to barge his way through to get his side's third score.

That, coupled with another successful Isa Nacewa conversion, extended the Irish lead, with Carbery making no mistake early in the second half. The international flyhalf made the most of some super Rory O'Loughlin work, the man who had his own effort disallowed upon referral from the TMO.

He faked a pass, broke through the tackle and perfectly offloaded to Carbery, with Nacewa's fourth conversion of the evening seemingly putting Leinster out of sight.

But the Dragons refused to be beaten, Kingsley Jones' side battling back in mightily impressive fashion, Howard crossing in the corner on 55 minutes for his side's first score of the evening. While the tricky conversion was missed, the visitors were not to be done there, with Sarel Pretorius dotting down to send the nerves through the Leinster camp.

It was the scrumhalf keeping Newport in with a chance of a losing bonus point but despite the endeavour, it wasn't quite to be for the Men of Gwent.

Scorers:

For Leinster:

Tries: Dooley, Molony, Conan, Carbery

Cons: Nacewa 4

For Newport-Gwent Dragons:

Tries: Howard, Pretorius

Con: O'Brien

Pens: O'Brien

Teams:

Leinster: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Adam Byrne, 13 Rory O'Loughlin, 12 Noel Reid, 11 Isa Nacewa (captain), 10 Joey Carbery, 9 Luke McGrath, 8 Jack Conan, 7 Dan Leavy, 6 Rhys Ruddock, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Ross Molony, 3 Michael Bent, 2 James Tracy, 1 Peter Dooley.

Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Andrew Porter, 18 Jeremy Loughman, 19 Mike McCarthy, 20 Max Deegan, 21 Charlie Rock, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Tom Daly.

Newport-Gwent Dragons: 15 Carl Meyer, 14 Pat Howard, 13 Tyler Morgan, 12 Jack Dixon, 11 Adam Warren, 10 Angus O'Brien, 9 Tavis Knoyle, 8 Harrison Keddie, 7 Nic Cudd, 6 Lewis Evans (captain), 5 Rynard Landman, 4 Nick Crosswell, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Phil Price.

Replacements: 16 Rhys Buckley, 17 Thomas Davies, 18 Lloyd Fairbrother, 19 Cory Hill, 20 James Thomas, 21 Sarel Pretorius, 22 Geraint Rhys Jones, 23 Tom Prydie.

Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)

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