Ulster - 31 Neath-Swansea - 19Ulster can cast aside the speculation surrounding coach Alan Solomons's future to extend their lead at the top of the Celtic League at Ravenhill last night. Ulster dominated in the opening half with three tries but they switched off after the break, adding only the one try for a bonus point.
Ulster outhalf Adam Larkin opened the scoring with a penalty in the sixth minute. Flanker Neil Best got Ulster's first try when released by centre Paddy Wallace. Larkin converted to put the home side 10-0 up after 13 minutes.
Scott Young added their second try a minute later with Wallace again making the break. Larkin again converted. Their third came on 26 minutes courtesy of Wallace.
Larkin had a try disallowed for foul play by Best before the Ospreys scored a try through Gareth Morris which Gavin Henson converted to leave his side trailing 24-7 at half-time.
Ospreys hit back with a try from hooker Barry Williams before Ulster secured their bonus point on 66 minutes when Warren Brosnihan went over. Ospreys got a late try when David Tiueti scored under the posts.
ULSTER: B Cunningham; J Topping, P Wallace, P Steinmetz, S Young; A Larkin, N Doak;R Kempson, M Sexton, R Moore, M McCullough, G Longwell, A Ward, N Best, R Wilson. Replacements: P Shields for Sexton (43 mins); B Young for Wilson (76 mins); M Mustchin for Longwell (53 mins); W Brosnihan for N Best (60 mins); K Campbell for Doak (75 mins); A Maxwell, S Coulter.
OSPREYS: G Henson; S Terblanche, D Tiueti, S Gibbs, G Morris; S Connor, A Williams; T Evans, B Williams, A Millward, A Newman, L Tait, J Bater, S Tandy, A Lloyd. Replacements: P Horgan, C Wells for Williams (75 mins); A Durston, A Clatworthy for Millward (66 mins); L Batemate, N Bonner-Evans for Lloyd (53 mins).
Referee: R Dickson (SRU).
