Ulster overwhelm Treviso in a game that doesn't count

Andrew Maxwell helped himself to a 30-minute hat-trick in the first half to set up a 43-26 win for Ulster at Stadio Comunale di Monigo.

Andrew Trimble scored twice in the second half and Paddy Wallace also crossed while Paul Steinmetz kicked 13 points to earn Ulster maximum points for the victory and their try count.

Treviso also collected only their third point of the group thanks to two tries from hooker Alvaro Tejeda and scores by Brendan Williams and Scott Palmer that briefly threatened to cause a shock result.

But Treviso could not recover from a blistering 35 minutes from Ulster that saw 24-year-old wing Maxwell scorch over three times. The first inside just five minutes after Adam Larkin's long pass.

Maxwell crossed for his second on 22 minutes following Steinmetz's inside pass and he completed his hat-trick by the 13 minutes later when Ulster made the most of a turnover in midfield.

Captain Justin Harrison stole possession in midfield and Steinmetz spotted the over-lap. Trimble burst forward to draw in the last defender before leaving Maxwell with a clear path to the try line. Steinmetz converted all three for a 21-0 lead.

But Treviso have provided stiff opposition for all three teams in Pool Four, running Saracens close at Vicarage Road the previous week, and used their forward power to score two almost identical tries before half-time.

Hooker Tejeda touching down both times with the full force of his pack behind him, either side of a yellow card for Trimble for a spear tackle on Treviso wing Pablo Calanchini.

Williams then got Treviso right into the game when he darted over after captain Alessandro Troncon decided against a kick at goal, running the penalty himself to catch Ulster off guard and narrow their lead to 24-19.

But Trimble's pace was ultimately to prove the difference, bursting clear to wrap up a bonus point with Ulster's fourth on 52 minutes before Wallace, a second-half replacement for Larkin, profited from James Topping's powerful break.

Italian international Palmer grabbed some consolation for Treviso with their fourth try on 67 minutes but Trimble completed a successful afternoon for the Ulstermen when the video official confirmed he had touched down in the corner a minute from time..

ULSTER: 15 - Tommy Bowe; 14 - James Topping; 13 - Andrew Trimble; 12 - Paul Steinmetz; 11 - Andrew Maxwell; 10 - Adam Larkin; 9 - Isaac Boss; 1 - Justin Fitzpatrick; 2 - Nigel Brady; 3 - Bryan Young; 4 - Justin Harrison (Captain); 5 - Matt McCullough; 6 - Neil Best; 7 - Stephen Ferris; 8 - Roger Wilson
Replacements: 16 - Paul Shields; 17 - Rod Moore; 18 - Rowan Frost; 19 -Neil McMillan; 20 - Kieran Campbell; 21 - Paddy Walalce; 22 - Jonny Bell

Treviso: Williams; Calanchini, Pizarro, Barbini, Legg; Goosen, Troncon; Sbaraglini, Tejeda, Mazino; Pavanello, Wentzel; Dal Maso, Orlando, Palmer.
Replacements: Ongaro, Allori, Kingi, Pavanello, Picone, Marcato, Perziano.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU).