Cooney helps Ulster to 16-17 win over Bath Rugby

Bath Rugby 16-17 Ulster, Recreation Ground
Scorecard

John Cooney contributed with 12 points including the decisive penalty goal in the 71st minute as Ulster edged out Bath Rugby 16-17 in their European Rugby Champions Cup encounter at Recreation Ground on Saturday.

Cooney provided a head start for the visitors in the 17th minute with a converted try but Bath pulled back things a bit with back to back penalties from Freddie Burns that saw the teams head into the break with a 6-7 scoreline.

The visitors thought they extended the score at the start of second half when Luke Marshall and Rob Herring took the Irish side close to a try but was pulled back following a knock on.

It was a matter of time before Ulster scored in the second half with this time Robert Lyttle dotting down in the 58th minute and Cooney followed with the conversion to make the scoreline 6-14 but his effort was cancelled when Gabriel Hamer-Webb sped past the try line to bring down the gap back to one point.

Rhys Priestland with a 67th minute penalty goal took Bath back to the lead but Cooney with a three-pointer in the 71st minute ensured Ulster completed a thrilling one point victory.

Bath will head to Twickenham Stoop for the second round where they face Harlequins while Ulster will lock horns with Clermont Auvergne.