Ulster stay in second place with narrow win

Ulster 26 Celtic Warriors 20

A try count of 2-1 in Ulster's favour reflected their domination.

After tremendous pressure, the home side eventually got their opening score a 34th minute penalty from Adam Larkin.

The Warriors then put on the pressure and Neil Jenkins grabbed an equalising penalty on the 40th minute. Ulster then tore up the Ravenhill turf. In first-half stoppage time winger Tyrone Howe's pace brought Ulster the opening try in the left corner and Larkin did well to add the touchline conversion.

However, there was still time for the Welsh outfit to get a try of their own before the interval, full-back Emyr Lewis punishing some ineffective Ulster tackling to go over on the right. Jenkins was just off target with the conversion to leave Ulster 13-11 ahead at the break.

Larkin and Jenkins exchanged penalties early in the second half before Ulster scored another try through Bryn Cunningham on 48 minutes. It followed a great break by James Topping, carried on by Kieran Campbell and finished by the supporting Ulster full-back.

Jenkins then landed his third penalty of the game to leave Ulster 20-14 in front. Jenkins and Larkins both kicked two more penalties to leave Ulster with a six-point margin of victory.

ULSTER: B Cunningham, S Young, S Mallon, S Stewart, T Howe, A Larkin, K Campbell, R McCormack, P Shields, R Moore, M Mustchin, M McCullough, A Ward (capt), N Best, T McWhirter.

Replacements: B Young, M Sexton, R Frost, R Wilson, R Spee, R Constable, J Topping.

WARRIORS: E Lewis; G Wyatt, S James, J Bryant, R Mustoe; N Jenkins, A Chilten; P Booth, M Rees, C Horsman, D Jones, N Budgett, R Parks, C Harris, C Bryan (capt).

Replacements: R James, G Morris, R Jones, M Lewis, P John, M Nutthall, G Cull.

Referee: David Changleng (Scotland).