Celtic League / Neath-Swansea 41 Ulster 30: Ulster felt the brunt of the salutary effect regional rugby has had in Wales as they lost to the newly formed Neath-Swansea Ospreys at the Gnoll.
The west Wales neighbours have put more than a century of bitter rivalry behind them to join forces so it was fitting that a man who has played at both clubs, Scott Gibbs, should captain the team to victory on the opening night of the Celtic League.
Ulster had appeared to be in control after scoring three first-half tries but could only manage three penalties in the second half as they ran out of ideas. They even lost their bonus point when Gavin Henson went over for his second try in injury time.
Ulster had hit back with three counter punches after falling behind to an early Dave Tiueti try within two minutes.
Pressure at the scrum forced the Ospreys scrumhalf to throw a poor pass that was intercepted by Ryan Constable, whose break was supported by Rowan Frost, and then Shane Stewart who went over in the corner.
Moments later prop Ronan McCormack rumbled over from ten yards out.And things got even better when captain Andy Ward outpaced Barry Williams from 30 yards out to score.
Ospreys full back Adrian Durston caught Ulster cold as he touched down a minute after the break, and Ulster's fate was sealed when Henson came off the bench to score 15 points in the final 20 minutes.
NEATH-SWANSEA OSPREYS: A Durston; D Tiueti, J Storey, S Gibbs (capt), E Seveali'l; S Connor (G Hanson, 63), A Williams; P James, B Williams, A Millward (A Jones 18-33, 58), A Newman, L Tait, J Bater (G Thomas, 63), N Bonner-Evans (G Thomas, 43-49). R Pugh.
ULSTER: B Cunningham (A Larkin, 67); S Young, R Constable, S Stewart (S Mallon, 82), T Howe; P Wallace, N Doak; R McCormack, M Sexton, R Moore, G Longwell (M Mustchin, 51), R Frost, A Ward (capt), R Wilson (N McMillan, 54), N Best.
Referee: G Davies (Scotland)
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