Ulster edge Bath in Champions Cup opener

CHAMPIONS CUP REPORT: Former champions Ulster got off to a winning start in the European Champions Cup with scrumhalf John Cooney's late penalty securing a narrow 17-16 win at Bath on Saturday.

The 29-year-old Cooney scored the opening try after 10 minutes of the Pool Three encounter and converted to give Ulster a 7-0 lead although two penalties from Freddie Burns meant the teams turned around at half-time with just a point between them.

Right-wing Rob Lyttle showed his pace just before the hour to chase down a kick through from Will Addison and touch down for Ulster's second try.

Minutes later Bath, the 1998 champions, hit back with replacement wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb scorching down the left for a try.

A Rhys Priestland penalty after 67 minutes put Bath ahead for the first time but four minutes later Cooney was on target once more to restore Ulster's one-point lead.

The home side almost stole it at the death. With the time three minutes into the red, No.8 Zach Mercer passed outside to wing Semesa Rokoduguni who had the line at his mercy.

The ball never arrived, however, as Ireland wing Jacob Stockdale flung himself in the way to intercept the pass and tumble into touch, signalling the end of the match.

The scorers:

For Bath:

Try: Hamer-Webb

Con: Burns

Pens: Burns 2, Priestland

For Ulster:

Tries: Cooney, Lyttle

Cons: Cooney 2

Pen: Cooney

Teams:

Bath: 15 Freddie Burns, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 Ruaridh McConnochie, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Will Chudley, 8 Zach Mercer, 7 Sam Underhill, 6 Mike Williams, 5 Charlie Ewels (captain), 4 Josh McNally, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Tom Dunn, 1 Beno Obano.

Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Lewis Boyce, 18 Christian Judge, 19 Elliott Stooke, 20 Josh Bayliss, 21 Chris Cook, 22 Max Wright, 23 Gabe Hamer-Webb

Ulster: 15 Will Addison, 14 Rob Lyttle, 13 Luke Marshall, 12 Stuart McCloskey, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Billy Burns, 9 John Cooney, 8 Marcell Coetzee, 7 Jordi Murphy, 6 Matt Rea, 5 Sam Carter, 4 Iain Henderson (captain), 3 Marty Moore, 2 Rob Herring, 1 Jack McGrath.

Replacements: 16 Adam McBurney, 17 Eric O’Sullivan, 18 Tom O’Toole, 19 Alan O’Connor, 20 Sean Reidy, 21 David Shanahan, 22 Angus Curtis, 23 Louis Ludik.

Referee: Marius Mitrea (Italy)

Assistant referees: Manuel Bottino (Italy), Mateo Liperini (Italy)

TMO: Stefano Pennè (Italy)