The hosts stay in the contest in the first half but fade after the break playing with 14 men. Zebre Parma fell to defeat at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Round 14 of the BKT United Rugby Championship (URC). Ulster Rugby claimed a **28-12** victory after a contest that was evenly balanced in the first half before being decided in the second period.
The visitors crossed for four tries through McAllister, Herring, Ward and Kok, while Zebre replied with tries from Di Bartolomeo and Trulla. From the tee, Humphreys and Doak were on target for Ulster, while Farias kicked for Zebre Parma. Player of the match: Kok.
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**(FIRST HALF)**
Zebre Parma made a strong start, immediately applying pressure inside Ulster’s 22 and forcing the visitors into multiple penalties. The hosts opened the scoring from a driving maul off a lineout, with Di Bartolomeo controlling the ball at the back before grounding. Farias added the conversion for a 7-0 lead after 12 minutes.
Ulster responded through McAllister, with Humphreys converting to level the score at 7-7 on 21 minutes.
In the middle phase of the half, Zebre held firm inside their own 22, denying Ulster any further scoring opportunities.
The turning point came in the 29th minute, when the TMO intervened and the referee issued a red card to Gesi for contact to the face of McCloskey at the breakdown, reducing the hosts to 14 men.
Late in the half, Zebre pushed again and earned a penalty from a dominant scrum on 39 minutes, but Farias missed the attempt at goal.
Half time: Zebre Parma 7 – Ulster Rugby 7
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**(SECOND HALF)**
Ulster came out with greater intensity and took the lead early in the second half. Herring finished from a well-executed driving maul on 44 minutes, with Humphreys converting for 7-14.
The visitors controlled possession and shut down Zebre’s attempts to respond, extending their lead on 52 minutes through winger Ward, who finished out wide. Doak added the conversion to make it 7-21.
Ulster continued to apply pressure in search of the bonus point try and secured it on 68 minutes, exploiting space out wide with Kok finishing in the corner. Doak converted again for 7-28.
Zebre struck back late on through Trulla in the 75th minute. Back from injury, he showed good awareness and pace to collect and finish. Farias missed the conversion attempt.
Full Time: Zebre Parma 12 – Ulster Rugby 28
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### **++ MATCH REPORT ++**
ZEBRE PARMA 12 – 28 ULSTER RUGBY
Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, kick-off 20:45
**Scorers:**
11’ try Di Bartolomeo, conv. Farias (7-0),
20’ try McAllister, conv. Humphreys (7-7),
44’ try Herring, conv. Humphreys (7-14),
52’ try Z. Ward, conv. Doak (7-21),
68’ try Kok, conv. Doak (7-28),
75’ try Trulla (12-28)
**Kickers:**
Farias (Zebre Parma) 1/3, Humphreys (Ulster Rugby) 2/2, Doak (Ulster Rugby) 2/2
**Cards:**
29’ Gesi (red), 80+5’ Wilson (yellow)
**Attendance:**
3256
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**ZEBRE PARMA**
15 Da Re (70’ Trulla)
14 Belloni
13 Bertaccini
12 Zanon (V) (67’ Morisi)
11 Gesi
10 Farias
9 Fusco (67’ Dominguez)
8 Odiase
7 Stavile
6 Ortombina (61’ Ferrari)
5 Krumov (C)
4 Canali (65’ Licata)
3 Pieretto (21’ Pitinari)
2 Di Bartolomeo (65’ Quattrini)
1 Hasa (61’ Neculai)
Replacements: Quattrini, Pitinari, Neculai, Ferrari, Licata, Dominguez, Trulla, Morisi
Head Coach: Massimo Brunello
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**ULSTER RUGBY**
15 McIlroy
14 Kok (67’ Carson)
13 Hume
12 McCloskey
11 Ward (56’ Moxham)
10 Humphreys (46’ Doak)
9 McKee
8 Ward (50’ Augustus)
7 Timoney
6 McCann
5 Hopes
4 Henderson (C)
3 McAllister (50’ Wilson)
2 Herring (69’ McCormick)
1 O’Sullivan (41’ Bell)
Replacements: McCormick, Bell, Wilson, Dalton, Augustus, Doak, Carson, Moxham
Head Coach: Richie Murphy
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Referee: Craig Evans
Assistant Referees: Filippo Russo, Dario Merli
TMO: Keith David
Player of the Match: Kok (Ulster Rugby)