Ulster slay dragons in convincing style

Ulster 37 Gwent Dragons 18

Ulster chalked up their second successive Celtic League victory with a comfortable win over Newport Gwent Dragons at Ravenhill.

The 1999 Heineken Cup champions proved too strong for the struggling South Wales outfit, running in four tries to claim a bonus point in an impressive performance.

Ulster out-half Adam Larkin, deputising in the absence of Ireland World Cup squad members David Humphreys and Paddy Wallace, knocked the home side into an early lead with two penalties after his opposite number Craig Warlow had opened the scoring with a fifth minute penalty.

The visitors made life difficult for Ulster in a scrappy first half, but Alan Solomons’ side took control when captain Andy Ward powered over for a superb try in the 28th minute after scintillating breaks by Irish World Cup reject Tyrone Howe and former Australian centre Ryan Constable.

Larkin converted but the Dragons kept themselves in touch at the break when Warlow knocked over a sweet drop-goal two minutes before the interval.

Larkin restored the 10-point advantage for Ulster with a 44th minute penalty before flanker Tony Whirter burst over for his side’s second try, which was converted by Larkin for a commanding 23-6 lead.

Ulster felt confident enough to bring on several substitutes, but a sloppy bit of defending allowed the Dragons to create a six-man overlap, with wing Gerald Arasa racing over for a 55th minute touchdown, which was converted by Warlow.

It was to prove a false dawn. An ambitious chip out of defence was gathered by Larkin, who spun away from the chasers and sent a perfect pass to Constable for try number three.

The Dragons bravely attempted to claw their way back into the game after a number of penalties and five metre scrums.

Ulster found themselves reduced to 14 men when prop Bryan Young was sent to the sin bin for collapsing the scrum.

But somehow Ulster kept their line unbreached, broke the siege and Howe claimed the bonus point with his side’s fourth try two minute from full-time.

Dragons’ replacement Gareth Baber managed to squeeze over for an injury time touchdown but it was little consolation for the visitors.