| Ulster (28) 49 |
| Attempt: Addison, Rowley 2, Sheridan, McCann 2, TMoney. Cons: cooney 7 |
| Dragons (7) 26 |
| Attempt: Benjamin, Screech, Coghlan, Penn Try.Cons: lead 2 |
Ulster returned to a winning streak with a 49-26 win over the Dragons in their first game since the departure of former head coach Dan McFarland.
Dan Soper took over as interim manager for the hosts, who scored seven tries with winger Michael Lowry and back-rower David McCann scoring twice.
Will Addison, Harry Sheridan and Nick Timane also moved to Ulster.
The Dragons finished the game with a bonus point thanks to tries from James Benjamin, Matthew Screech and Brodie Coghlan, as well as a penalty try.
John Cooney scored all seven of Ireland's touchdowns, securing URC's first win since New Year's Day, when they beat Leinster 22-21. Will Reid added another point to the visitors' two tries.
Dan Soper will be in charge for just one game before Ireland Under-20s coach Richie Murphy takes charge for the rest of the season, but Ulster's win moves them into fifth place in the URC table, ahead of Munster and Edinburgh. They were tied on points.
Ulster started the match with attacking intent, with full-back Addison scoring a try in the fifth minute.
That burden fell on the forwards, but when the ball was finally released to the Bucs, Billy Burns' little grubber kick was perfect for an Addison touchdown.
The Dragons were only six minutes behind. From a lineout 10 meters in front, they beat Ulster's maul defense through hooker Benjamin, who benefited from some great work on the puck. Reed made it seven points.
Ulster's second try came from a poor tackle by the Dragons, allowing McCann to break through the defensive line. With players on his left and right, McCann went to his right and headed toward Lowry, who ran up the line.
A series of fouls by the Dragons gave Ulster possession deep in the opposition half. In the end, their pressure showed when Sheridan scored his third try from close range.
A simple pass pulled the Dragons out of position and the bonus point score came moments later when Lowry made no mistake to score his second try of the game.
After 33 minutes, Ulster led 28-7 and earned a bonus point.
The second half started in a similar pattern, but Ulster missed a chance for a try when Tom Stewart knocked on the ball as he tried to ground it over the line.
Substitutions continued, and as a result, the match fell apart.
This suited the Dragons as they scored their second unconverted try from an unusual attack on Ulster '22' Screech.
Ulster quickly regrouped and phased the ball on a perfect night for rugby, conceding McCann's fifth try over the whitewash.
To their credit, the Welsh side kept fighting. They were successful in the maul, leading to the third try with substitute prop Coghlan the scorer.
Ulster will finish the game strong. Substitute Jacob Stockdale turned the Dragons over on the halfway line and the Irish winger would be involved in the move once more, feeding Timoney with a scoring pass.
Ulster launched a strong attack in the final stages. McCann sliced through the Dragons defence, scoring his second try of the night and his team's seventh.
Cooney's perfect night with the boot ended with a 7-for-7 conversion.
There was still time before the Dragons' maul caused problems for Ulster once again.
Timoney was penalized for collapsing on the Ulster line, was awarded a penalty try and the Welsh side left Belfast with a loss of bonus points.
Ulster: Addison, McIlroy, Hume, Postlethwaite, Lowry. Burns, Cooney. Kitshoff, Stewart, O'Toole. Izchukkuk, Sheridan. McCann, M. Rea, T.M.
Replacement: Andrew, Warwick, Wilson, Treadwell, Leffel, Doak, Marshall, Stockdale.
dragon: E. Rosser, Westwood, Hughes, Owen, Baldwin. Reed, Blacker. Martinez, Benjamin, Coleman. Lonsdale, Screech. Lydiate, H. Taylor, Basham.
Replacement: Coghlan, Saiuri, Yendl, Langton-Crier, Knott, Bertranou, Ackerman, Anderson.
Referee: Gianluca Gnecki (FIR)
